Special Report: Flu Season Vaccines

We bundle up as best we can, but sooner or later, we could come down with it. It's not a pretty thing you can't get up for days, and your miserable all the time. Now, Cambridge scientists are developing a new device that could dramatically cut down the way flu and other airborne illnesses are spread.

David Edwards, Professor of Biomedical Engineering Harvard University
"It would help prevent the infection from setting in."

Mark Gabrielson,CEO, Pulmatrix
"We believe it can be very effective."

Here's what they looked at-the exhaled breath of 11 healthy people. Scientists noticed that more than half exhaled large quantities of very small particles - these particles could carry infections.

Mark Gabrielson,CEO, Pulmatrix
"It's these bacteria or viral containing particles the next person can inhale and get sick."

To reduce these particles, they simply sprayed saltwater mist, or saline, deep into the lungs. The results the number of germ-spreading particles were reduced by 72 percent.

David Edwards, Professor of Biomedical Engineering Harvard University
"We were really surprised we'd seen such a dramatic impact. and we also didn't expect it would last so long."

There are several products already on the market that contain this saltwater or saline solution. But Harvard scientists say don't try this at home, because these aren't designed to be sprayed in the lungs.

David Edwards, Professor of Biomedical Engineering Harvard University
"The problem is the aerosol needs to be delivered to the lungs in a certain particle size so you know it's getting to the right part of the lung."

A Cambridge company is now developing a prototype applicator and hopes to get this flu fighter on the market within the next two years.