Quantifying Risks of Airborne Influenza A Virus and Rhinovirus Transmission in Shared Children’s Bedrooms: A Simulation Study involving QMRA

Respiratory infections occur frequently among children, resulting in lost work time and economic productivity for adult caregivers. In children ranging 0–2 years old. The objective of this study was to estimate influenza and rhinovirus infection risks for a child sharing a bedroom with another infected child using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) approach. The scenario was two children lying on twin-sized beds in a 25.5 m3 bedroom for 6 h. The infected individual released virus-laden aerosols. Rhinovirus and influenza A virus (H1N1 and H3N2) dose- response curves were used to estimate infection risks. Infection risks were highest for rhinovirus, > 0.99 regardless of viral shedding intensity. High severity settings yielded risks 1.5 and 0.9 log10 higher for H3N2 and H1N1 infection risks, respectively. A plume formed from the infected individuals exhaled breath to the susceptible individual’s face, which may explain, in part, the high risks estimated. While settings for tidal breathing did not disrupt plume formation, increased air exchange rate did. The authors conclude that respiratory viral infection risks can be high in shared bedroom scenarios, especially with low fresh air ventilation and alignment of furniture such that plumes can form between the faces of individuals.

Pham N, Wilson AM, Spicka P, Fryd MM, Haas MS, Falbo DM, Jiang H, Ashraf A, Reynolds KA. Shared Children's Bedrooms May Pose High Risks of Airborne Influenza A Virus and Rhinovirus Transmission: A Simulation Study. Risk Analysis. 2026 Apr;46(4):e70238.