How Are Viruses Spread? Air Is One of the Top Ways

Today preventing the spread of the virus is a paramount issue. But how or where does this happen? Is it easy or difficult to catch a virus?

When my children were little, if one of them caught the flu, we all fell ill, no matter how many failed attempts I made to isolate my siblings, we always fell ill. But back then, almost a decade ago, viruses weren’t as dangerous or of as much concern to us as they are now.

The contagion occurs in ONLY ONE way: through BIOAEROSOLS. Bioaerosol is what is suspended in the air that is or was alive and is the product of something alive such as: viruses, bacteria, fungal spores, dust mites, skin scales. When speaking, sneezing and coughing we emit small particles of saliva that if we are with some type of virus in the body these particles are loaded with said virus, they have the ability to remain alive in the air and on surfaces, at this moment contagion occurs. This occurs mostly in closed places since in nature and open spaces there is a lot of oxygen and space so these infected particles can dissipate.

For example, we are in a closed place, let’s say a hair or nail salon which is a closed environment. At 50% or 70% capacity, if a person with a virus shows up, speaks and/or sneezes “without a mask” all those particles/bioaerosols, can according to a 2009 WHO study, release up to 3,000 droplets of secretions into the air. After floating in the air for hours, they can land on surfaces and survive from minutes to a few days. If a person breathes these particles, contagion occurs. A person with a mask is protected from catching the disease ONLY if the mask still has all its protective properties.

The surgical mask can remain effective for up to four to six hours at a time, as long as it is not wet or dirty. Every time we talk, bioaerosols moisten the filtering and protective layer of the mask, so its efficiency and protection REDUCES and then DISAPPEARS. People who use the mask every day for more than 6 hours and then reuse it the next day are not protected. It is as if they did not wear any mask.

This information is based on a study carried out to investigate the presence of viruses on the surface of surgical masks. One part of the study was carried out in a laboratory with a mannequin and a fluorescent spray where, after prolonged use of more than 6 hours, virus findings were found in the masks.

These findings were confirmed through a small clinical study conducted with 148 health professionals who wore surgical masks for one shift (6-8 hours) or as long as they could tolerate. The overall virus positivity rate was 10.1% (15/148).

An effective way to eliminate all kinds of viruses and bacteria in a NATURAL way is through the use of OZONE. Ozone is a natural bactericide (O3) is a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms. Ozone is a gas that is found naturally in the upper layers of the atmosphere and is characterized by having a great oxidizing power. This oxidizing power makes ozone a highly effective and safe solution for disinfecting, as it has been used for decades in hospitals and in the food industry.

Ozone disinfection eliminates pathogens by oxidizing the coating of viruses, bacteria and fungi and a wide spectrum of microorganisms, which are deactivated. Once this has happened, the ozone decomposes in the same way that occurs naturally in the atmosphere and returns to oxygen, so it does not leave any type of chemical residue. Ozone is most effective when used in closed spaces which are unoccupied. It is important to note that it has no effect to disinfect empty places with chemicals when infections occur when people are inside them. It is the most sustainable and environmentally efficient option. It also acts as a powerful deodorizer, eliminating all kinds of odors.

Now that you are aware of how viruses and/or diseases spread in the air, what are you waiting for to protect the air in your home, office, and thus ensure the health of your family, staff and clients.

Animal hair is NOT the cause of allergy.

Many people think that allergies to animals is caused by the animal’s fur (or hair). People with allergies think of a Persian cat with fur like a lion and they immediately start sneezing.

What actually causes the allergy are the dander particles that contain the allergens formed in the secretions of sebaceous glands and saliva. Just like in humans, the skin layer of animals renews itself as microscopic scales. These particles can hang in the air for a long time, be suspended by any movement, and then be inhaled.

For this reason an allergic person may have symptoms as soon as they enter a house whether or not there are pets is present at this time.

The recommended thing in these cases is to have an air purification system at home so that it traps all the particles in the environment, thus significantly reducing, and in some cases, avoiding allergic reactions within the family as well as with visitors. Did you know that an efficient air purifier with HEPA filters can reduce the content of an allergen in the air by 90% or more?

One of the most prescribed medications for allergy sufferers are antihistamines. As their name says, they are responsible for inhibiting histamine in H1 receptors.

Histamine is a chemical present in all body tissues that is involved in allergic reactions and even in stomach secretions. When the pill is taken, this H1 receptor is stabilized for a couple of hours and the effect of allergy, runny nose, sneezing, tearing and other allergy effects does not occur.

Some medications manage to reduce the annoying symptoms of allergies but they do NOT cure the disease, they provide temporary moments of relief.

Some side effects of medications are: drowsiness, tachycardia, palpitations, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, constipation, urine retention, insomnia, headaches, central nervous system depression and seizures.

It is important to remember that the body is intelligent and that if these medications are taken for long periods of time, a tolerance is generated, the body gets used to it and the dose must be increased, creating a dependency on the medication.

According to Dr. Víctor Dongo Zegarra, director of the General Directorate of Medicines, Supplies and Drugs of Peru, 60% of viral and allergy symptoms do not require medication, but rather asymptomatic treatments such as rest, hot liquids, infusions and use of air purifiers of air.

Habitual medical treatment sometimes even increases allergic reactions.