The difference between two different environments will cause a series of changes in the body and the pathogen.
Becoming an astronaut is not an easy thing when candidates have to go through a process of training and testing for months in the field.
Then, fitness and skill tests are given to decide if they will be able to participate in the next space trip. This proves that astronauts are guaranteed the best health when they walk on the spacecraft.
But what will happen to the astronaut’s body in zero gravity? Could they also get sick on the spaceship?
Environment without gravity – fear of astronauts for health
According to a report from the NASA Center in the United States, between 67 and 75% of astronauts suffer from space adaptation syndrome (SAS) while traveling in a spaceship.
Vomiting – one of the most common signs of SAS syndrome
This is due to the fact that in a zero gravity environment, the pressure difference suddenly – fluid from body organs is temporarily deposited, especially mucus (mucus) in the sinus cavity around the nose (sinus).
This causes a series of symptoms such as nausea, headache, sneezing and vomiting as soon as you leave Earth. A few days later, their body gradually adapted.
And yet the human immune system in this environment is also weak. Partly because the body shrinks fluid cells like T cells to help fight inflammation, or macrophages help “turn around” harmful bacteria.
As for the pathogen, according to NASA pathology research published in TIME magazine: In a zero gravity environment, bacteria cell walls will be strengthened, making them resistant to air pressure.
“We know that humidity has a huge impact on pathogenic bacteria. In harsh environments like in space, bacteria must also find ways to ‘adapt’ to survive” – Dr. Leonard Mermels of the Rhode Island hospital.
Therefore, the risk of illness of astronauts always exists in a certain proportion. When health is somewhat reduced, pathogens still “travel” through space, making it difficult for anyone to say anything.
Therefore, disease prevention is of utmost importance for astronauts. A series of sterility checks in the cabin or the food are carefully examined to ensure that they are carried out before take off.
During the trip, there will always be a doctor on the ground if the astronaut has any health problems. Through messages transferred from spacecraft to the ISS (International Space Station – International Space Station), doctors will be in charge of guiding, advising and reassuring astronauts.
Therefore, do not think that outside the universe, pathogens on Earth will disappear, they are simply “hidden”.
