Published: 1966 | Zeitschrift für Präventivmedizin 1966, 11. 9-16

Socio-medical study on pathogenesis and prophylaxis of common colds

Ritzel G


Abstract

Ritzel’s prospective interventional study was the first published research on the preventive effect of humidification.

In 5 of 10 kindergarten double pavilions, indoor humidity was increased by 9% (mean of 40% to 49%RH) during 9 weeks (January to mid-March) by nebulizing humidifiers.

Teachers were instructed to ask children and parents about the reason for absenteeism and include all missed schooldays in the study data, where symptoms of "cold" infection (coughing, rhinitis, sore throat and fever of unknow origin) were involved.

In the intervention group of kindergarten children, who experienced higher average humidity levels, the rate of absenteeism was reduced from 5.7% to 3.1% across the study period.

The reliability of the conclusive statement is increased by the fact that the catchment areas, and therefore the socio-economic background of the children in the double school pavilions, were identical.

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by Dr.med. Walter Hugentobler

The reduction in absenteeism is impressive, especially if you take into account that children spent only about 20 hours per week in the kindergarten. It emphasizes the crucial role of socialising activities, especially among children, which statistically suffer from 5 to 10 colds per year.

If we assume, that half of the colds result in a mean absenteeism of 2 days, humidification prevented 50 percent of cold events.

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