A home air purifier does more than remove odors. By running an air cleaner in the most used rooms on a regular basis during the winter, you minimize some of the common germs floating in your home during the season.

Common cold

A cold is a viral infection marked by runny nose or nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, or headache. The germs are spread through the air and personal contact. Colds are caused by many different types of viruses and can occur year round, although they are most frequent in the winter months. Children often get 10 or more colds per year!  A combination of washing hands, sanitizing common surfaces and air purification help reduce the presence of cold germs.

Influenza

Influenza comes on quickly with high fever, cough, sore throat, headache, and muscle aches and pains.  Most flu viruses are transmitted by personal contact and airborne respiratory droplets, which means a sneeze or cough can quickly and easily contaminate a closed up home for winter. Along with the annual flu vaccine, keeping hand sanitizer available and running an air purifier with a fresh filter helps reduce the spread of these pesky germs.

Croup

Croup often comes on suddenly in the middle of the night. You may wake up to your child coughing loudly. The croup cough often is described as “barking” or “like a seal”. Croup is caused by viruses that can be spread easily through coughing, sneezing, and respiratory secretions (mucus and droplets from coughing or sneezing). Children with croup should be considered contagious for three days after the illness begins or until the fever is gone. Most likely this infection will be brought home from school. To prevent it from spreading to other kids at home or yourself, air purification in the home and quarantine measures can help minimize the impact of the infection.

Strep Throat

Streptococcal bacteria are highly contagious. They can spread through airborne droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes, or through shared food or drinks. Minimizing contact while the infected person recovers with antibiotics is one preventive measure against the spread of germs. Also, keeping the air clean in their bedroom or in common areas helps as well.