• Question: is anyone able to get sick in space

    Asked by Soyuz Guru to Jenn, Elie, Col Op, Floris, RocketRich on 7 Mar 2016. This question was also asked by Batty Jack, SoWhat169, LouisClayton, 🍭lovelylollipop10🍭.
    • Photo: Elie Allouis

      Elie Allouis answered on 7 Mar 2016:

      It depends what you mean:
      – if it getting sick like travel sickness, then yes. Most of the astronauts experience some sickness in the first days on the ISS, because their bodies cannot tell where is up, or down. It is like being sea sick…
      – If it is sick like getting a cold or flu, it certainly is possible. Usually ISS crews are quarantined for 2 weeks just to make sure they won’t catch a bad bug before leaving for the ISS. Once up there there would be fewer bug to get sick with.

    • Photo: Jenn Wadsworth

      Jenn Wadsworth answered on 9 Mar 2016:

      Astronaut’s immune systems also don’t work as well as when they’re on earth. So although there might be fewer microbes on the ISS, you’re in a worse position to fight off any infection!

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