Question: What is definition of "airborne?"

[Franck Brunel]

Dear Aaron

							First, let me apologize if this is not the exact 'netiquette', 
but I am new to this. The airborne question you have is much like you 
initially suspected; the virus in question usually must be in the lungs 
in some quantity (several thousands per ml-although infectiousness may 
alter this) and then the microscopic particles of moisture carry it out 
of the lungs and into the environment. Coughing, sneezing, etc. will 
certainly exacerbate the situation, but even normal exhalation produces 
some amount of airborne viruses. I have read accounts of illnesses being 
spread through air conditioning systems in buildings, although this may 
have been more speculative than truly tested.


									                   -Sean

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Sean Stevens PhD: The Rockefeller University, New York, USA. 
				(212) 327 7605
stevens at rockvax.rockefeller.edu