Does dry indoor air have your senses flaring? Dry nose and skin, and a sore scratchy throat are symptoms of indoor air that is too dry, all of which provide the perfect breeding ground for the flu virus. A whole-house humidifier can relieve your symptoms, and help keep the flu at bay.Flu virus and dry airIt’s important to maintain a healthy immune defense to fight against infections, particularly during the cold and flu season. However, research has shown that a diminished immune system is only one component to the reasons why viruses, like the flu, are more prevalent and infectious during the winter season.Flu viruses produce a defensive coating in cold outdoor temperatures that make them more stable, allowing more time to find an unsuspecting host to infect. This compounds the problem for household occupants of warding off health ailments when dry winter air contributes to a weakened immune system brought on by fatigue, dehydration and dry nose and throat.The third component to the reason why flu viruses spread so easily during dry winter months is the dry air itself. Coughs and sneezes release the flu virus into household air. The dry air quickly evaporates the moisture within the coughs and sneezes, essentially removing the barrier between household occupants and flu viruses. If you have dry nasal passages and sore throat, the likelihood of infection is tremendously increased if you inhale an airborne flu virus.Maintain a moisture barrierWhole-house humidification provides a protective moisture barrier to prevent health ailments, discomforts and household damage caused by dry air. A whole-house humidifier connects to the ductwork of your forced-air system. As airflow passes through the humidifier, water vapor is collected which humidifies the dry air, providing optimal indoor humidity for your entire home.Optimally humidified air carries many benefits in addition to fending off the flu. Optimal humidity protects hardwood floors, wooden cabinetry, molding and all wooden and porous objects, possessions and home structure.For more details about a whole-house humidifier, contact Air Assurance today. We provide outstanding service and installation throughout the Greater Tulsa Metropolitan Area.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock