15 Dec The Different Types of Airborne Diseases and Appropriate Prevention
Airborne diseases are caused by tiny pathogenic microbes (mostly bacteria and viruses) that are discharged when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or through other forms of close personal contact. The discharged microbes remain suspended in the air on dust particles and small respiratory droplets that are eventually inhaled by people in the space and can effectively cause illness.
Pathogenic microbes can travel along air currents for distances more than 6 feet and remain infectious for as long as an hour. In enclosed places such as offices and classrooms where people stay at close proximity to another, the risk of infection is even higher and such microbes can spread even more easily. As such, improving air quality has become a much larger focus throughout schools, offices, and government buildings as air treatment appliances such as pathogen purification systems have proven their efficacy.
Types of Airborne Diseases
There are a few diseases that can spread through airborne transmission and their symptoms may range from mild to severe depending on the health and immunity of the infected person. Here are some of the most common types of airborne diseases.
Coronavirus
The global outbreak of the coronavirus as we all know has changed society, as the onset of the pandemic and has led to the death of millions of people around the world. According to the WHO, the coronavirus can pass from person-to-person through the air through a process known as aerosolization. Transmission can occur through long-range airborne transmission in poorly ventilated or crowded indoor settings, as aerosols can remain suspended in the air or travel farther than conversational distance. Common symptoms of the disease include fever, fatigue, cough and respiratory problems.
Influenza
Influenza, or more commonly known as the flu, is an airborne disease that infects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. Influenza spreads easily through tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk, and can infect a large group of people in a short period of time. Symptoms develop quickly and an infected person will start to feel sick after 1 to 7 days from contracting the virus. Common flu symptoms include body aches, chills, dizziness, flushed face, headache, and lack of energy.
Common Cold
The common cold is an airborne disease that infects the nose and throat. There are multiple types of viruses that can cause a common cold. The disease is predominantly harmless and most people recover in a week or 10 days. Common symptoms of a common cold include runny and stuffy nose, cough, sneezing, cough, sore throat, and mild fever. On average adults have 2-3 colds per year, and children have more. The viral infection is one of the top reasons for absenteeism in school and work. Based on a study by the CDC, about 8 percent of the population get sick from the flu each season, with a range between 3 percent and 11 percent depending on the season.
Prevention
The first and most effective method in preventing the transmission of airborne diseases is through following social distancing guidelines. This includes washing your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap to prevent germ-contaminated droplets from entering your nose, eyes, or mouth, keeping a safe distance from people who are sick, and staying indoors if you fall ill. However, in cases where this is unavoidable, you can minimize the chances of airborne disease transmission by keeping the air clean and safe using an air treatment system that can eliminate pathogens. This is highly effective in indoor spaces where close contact is more likely, such as offices, classrooms, gyms, etc.
Protect Your Space From Pathogenic Microbes With UV Angel Air
The UV Angel Clean Air unit is a pathogen purification system that can help to significantly reduce viruses, bacteria, and fungi on whole-room surfaces by disinfecting the air automatically and continuously – all without requiring staff time to operate or exposure to more harmful chemicals and agents. Furthermore, Congress passed three stimulus bills in 2020 and 2021 totaling up to $190.5 billion to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund, where schools can use these federally funded funds in improving indoor air quality.
Contact us to learn more about the features and benefits of the UV Angel Air and place your order.