ISLAMABAD (Online) – Spending too much time online can increase your risk of catching a cold or the flu, scientists have warned.
Those with greater levels of internet addiction are more likely to succumb to illness, than those who spend fewer hours online.
Researchers at the universities of Swansea and Milan believe the reason lies in the fact people with an internet addiction are more secluded, and as a result have weakened immune systems.
They said the lack of interaction with other people and less time spent outside exposing themselves to germs played a role.
A new study has found that those people who are addicted to using the internet are more likely to fall victim to colds and flu. Researchers believe it is due to a person’s immune system being weakened.
Past studies have also found people who spend more time online experience greater sleep deprivation, have worse eating habits, engage in less exercise and tend to smoke and drink more alcohol.
These behaviours can harm their immune system and increase vulnerability to diseases.
Professor Phil Read, from Swansea University, said: “We found the impact of the internet on people’s health was independent of a range of other factors, like depression, sleep deprivation, and loneliness, which are associated with high levels of internet use and also with poor health.”
Researchers evaluated 500 people aged 18 to 101 years old. They found that those who reported problems with excessive use of the internet also suffered more cold and flu symptoms that those who spent less time online.
Around 40 percent of the sample reported mild or worse levels of internet addiction – a figure which did not differ between males and females.
People who greater levels of internet addiction had around 30 more percent cold and flu symptoms than those with less problematic internet usage. And researchers found people who are addicted to the internet may suffer from great stress when they are disconnected from the net.
