by KYW's Michelle Durham
Today's high gas prices have prompted many in the Delaware Valley to use mass transit to get to work. But will local doctors see a spike in cold and flu cases with more people sharing tight train quarters?
Dr. Kathleen Squires is director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia:
"Any time that people are in crowded conditions and in close contact there is always a chance to spread colds viruses and influenza."
The good news she says is that simple hand washing and getting a flu shot can help cut your risk significantly since this year's vaccine is different and covers three new strains of the virus. What if you just keep your cold weather gloves on while riding mass transit?
"I wouldn't necessarily encourage that we all go around wearing gloves, but remember that if you cough into the glove and then touch a surface, whatever is on the glove can be transmitted to that surface."
And if you later touch your face while wearing the glove, you'd be at risk too.
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