Table 2.

Summary of Psychosocial Factors Associated With Risk for Upper Respiratory Infectious Disease Among Those Exposed to a Virus

Psychosocial factor	Association with upper respiratory disease
Health-related behaviors
Smoking	Greater risk
Alcohol consumption	Moderate drinking incurs less risk
Exercise	Lack of minimum exercise (2 days/week) at greater risk
Vitamin C	Less than daily requirement (85 g) at greater risk
Sleep	Fewer than 6–7 hr a night at greater risk
	Lower sleep efficiency at greater risk
Psychological stress
Aggregate measure	Increased stress associated with increased risk
Perceived stress	Increased stress associated with increased risk
Severe stressful event	The longer the event lasts, the greater the risk
	Prolonged interpersonal and economic events are the most potent
Interpersonal
Social integration	The more social roles, the lesser the risk
Social support	The greater the perceived support, the lesser the risk for high-stressed but not for low-stressed persons (stress-buffering)