A respiratory infection can happen any time of year, but “cold and flu season” is a real thing. During fall and winter, viruses that cause respiratory disease are passed around more heavily among us. And it’s not just the cold and flu—the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 have become part of the season. So, are there ways to avoid getting a respiratory illness this year?
The reasons behind the season
According to the National Library of Medicine, most upper respiratory infections—a cold, the flu, RSV, sinusitis, COVID-19—are caused by viruses that are passed by inhaling droplets in the air. Lower respiratory infections—bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia—can be caused by an inhaled virus or bacteria, with respiratory viruses causing most cases of bronchitis and bronchiolitis.
Avoid these airborne viruses
Because respiratory infections are spread by germs in the air, you can inhale them if you are in close contact with a sick person, or by touching something with these germs on it and then touching your mouth or nose. To prevent this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests the following:
- Minimize close contact with anyone who is sick, especially if they’re coughing or sneezing.
- Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.
- Avoid sharing personal items like your toothbrush.
- Help sick people contain the droplets from their coughing and sneezing. Care for a tissue?
- Wear a mask in public if you’re really concerned.
- Maintain a clean environment, especially commonly touched surfaces like your keyboard, mouse, keypads and door handles.
- Clean the air in your home or office with an air purifier designed to eliminate viruses and bacteria.
If you do get sick, please consult your doctor for all medical advice.
A proven way to destroy germs
Bacteria and viruses can be a challenge for some air purifiers, but because these germs have a positive or negative electrical charge, they tend to cling to other larger particles in the air. Molekule is one of the few air purifier companies who, after rigorous assessments by third-party laboratories, have earned FDA 510(k) class II medical device clearance. Molekule air purifiers contain a brand-new technology that goes beyond trapping particles on filters to actually destroying them through a chemical process.
Photo Electrochemical Oxidation (PECO) technology
Molekule’s proprietary PECO technology has been proven by an independent laboratory* to destroy bacteria and viruses. Small particles that may otherwise pass through traditional particle filters, or multiply on the filter surface, are broken down into safe substances like water vapor and carbon dioxide.
Destroy viruses
Molekule’s Air Pro with PECO-HEPA Tri-Power Filter protects the most space from respiratory diseases. It uses proprietary PECO technology and true High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) 99.97% particle-capture efficiency rate to capture and destroy viruses in large home and work spaces. Molekule makes it easy to keep fresh filters coming, and air purifiers like the Air Pro may be FSA/HAS eligible.
So to stay healthy this season, keep cleaning, stay away from your sneezing friends, and destroy viruses with a good air purifier.
*Small chamber & swatch tests at University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Note: No air purifier can completely prevent virus transmission. Use PPE & follow other govt. Recommendations.