Can you transmit respiratory diseases by blowing into a breathalyzer?

According to information from the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health), Vietnam is in the winter-spring period, the erratic change of weather is the cause of the emergence and spread of infectious diseases.

Many people are concerned that blowing alcohol concentration can also spread respiratory diseases.

Responding to this issue, Master Bui Vu Binh, Head of the Department of Infection, Hanoi Medical University Hospital - said that people do not need to worry too much about the problem of respiratory infections when performing alcohol concentration testing.

Mr. Binh stated that currently, there are two types of alcohol measuring devices used by traffic police. The first type is the type of alcohol measuring device with a blowing disc. With this type, the breath is blown without direct mouth contact with the device. When people blow, only a single stream of air comes out, there is no reverse flow.

Therefore, the risk of people inhaling pathogens and getting infected is almost zero.

The second is a direct breathalyzer. With this type, the traffic police will replace the tube after use. Therefore, it is very difficult for people to get infected when they blow into the breathalyzer.

"People should not be too concerned about these issues, they should comply with the regulations and orders of the authorities," Mr. Binh shared.

Sharing the same opinion with Mr. Binh, an infectious disease expert from the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) also said that currently there is no research showing that measuring alcohol concentration causes an increase in respiratory diseases.

This person said that in countries around the world, alcohol concentration measurements of traffic participants are still carried out. Therefore, people do not need to worry too much.

However, this expert also said that traffic police should also pay attention to ensuring that the blower (disposable type) is replaced after use. For the type of blower with a disc tube (no mouth contact), it is necessary to disinfect and clean regularly to ensure safety and hygiene for people.