A study by MIT researchers has shown that coughs and sneezes create gas clouds that keep their potentially infectious droplets aloft over much greater distances than previously known.

Droplets 10 micrometers in diameter travel 200 times farther!¹ And the more stagnant the air is, the longer virus-filled droplets can stay airborne. However, research shows that airflow and ventilation can help keep bacteria, viruses, and other pollutants out of the air you breathe, dramatically affecting how diseases spread indoors.

Every year, millions of people are impacted by influenza. According to the CDC, during the 2021-2022 influenza season, it was estimated that influenza was associated with 9 million illnesses, 4 million medical visits, and 10,000 hospitalizations². 

An air purifier can make a big difference in flu prevention, especially during flu season, when the flu virus is in the air due to coughing, sneezing, breathing, and more. All Blueair air purifiers feature HEPASilent™ filtration technology to efficiently remove 99.97% of airborne particles. When it comes to filtration, the combination of two technologies ensures the removal of at least 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.1 micron*. This means even the tiniest particles, such as some viruses and bacteria*, are captured, along with larger particles such as dust, pollen and smoke. And our Protect air purifier is the only air purifier to provide 24/7 protection against viruses and bacteria with GermShield™³ technology. In fact, the Protect 7400 series captures 99.99% of SARS-COV-2 in a 1280ft⁴ room. 

Often humans are the main source of infectious diseases. When the cold and flu season is in full swing, we need to use all the aids available to help prevent becoming infected, from boosting immune systems to disinfecting surfaces to cleaning the air of airborne viruses. Here are a few tips to avoid colds and the flu.

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Disinfect keyboards, phones, and surfaces regularly – after landing on a surface a virus can live another 24 hours.
• Get enough sleep since sleep can boost your immune system.
• Avoid stress because stress can weaken your immune system defenses.
• Use a high-performing indoor air purifier to keep rooms well-ventilated.