Approximately 36,000 Americans die each year from what many consider to be an unavoidable annual event: the flu. An average of 226,200 more wind up in the hospital as a result of this seemingly minor bug. But influenza is not negligible. For hundreds of thousands of people each year, what is commonly known as the flu" is a serious illness. However, it is an illness that is largely preventable. Influenza, or the flu, is a respiratory disease which is highly contagious. Caused by a virus, influenza affects approximately one out of every five people in America each year. Common symptoms include headache, fatigue, sore throat, cough, muscle aches, and congested or runny nose. Other symptoms, which are more common in children, may consist of nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Even more serious, influenza can lead to severe complications, such as dehydration and pneumonia. As a viral infection, influenza most commonly spreads from person to person when respiratory droplets from an infected person are emitted through such unavoidable acts as sneezing or coughing. However, the illness may also spread when an uninfected person touches an item with the virus on it and then touches his or her own mouth or nose. As severe and contagious as the ailment may be, the nation's annual statistics can be greatly decreased by following some useful guidelines. First, such organizations as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention highly recommend an influenza vaccination each fall, especially for those most at risk of serious complications from the flu. These include people sixty-five and over, children six to twenty-three months, people who are in contact with children under six months, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions. For these, a vaccination may mean the difference between life and death. Practical health habits are also a useful tool in reducing the spread of influenza. Because the virus is most often passed from person to person, it is important to avoid contact with infected people as much as possible, to wash hands often, and to keep from touching one's own nose, mouth, or eyes. Likewise, those who are sick must take action not to infect others. If at all possible, these should stay home when unwell and always cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. Because the majority of viruses are caught indoors, it is further becoming common knowledge that an ultraviolet air purifier is an excellent tool for decreasing the spread of influenza. Commonly used in hospitals, these UV air cleaners actually sanitize indoor air which may be infected with microorganisms that have become airborne. Whereas these particulates would normally be breathed in by people occupying the household or workplace, an ultraviolet air cleaner destroys the contaminants with a germicidal UV lamp. This technology is derived from what scientists over the last fifty years have known: that the UV rays of natural sunlight are one of the most effective sterilizers of air pollution. A UV air cleaner utilizes this knowledge to disinfect indoor air through the use of an ultraviolet lamp. The UV-C rays from this light mutilate harmful microorganisms, such as influenza, as they pass through the ultraviolet air purifier, leaving the contaminants unable to reproduce and thus harmless. During the cold months of cold and flu season when impure air is confined inside airtight buildings, UV air purifiers are proven effective against the spread of influenza and other viral and bacterial infections. Without an ultraviolet air cleaner, contaminated air simply re-circulates throughout a home or business; therefore residents or workers have no choice but to breathe in this air, causing a great risk of spreading infections. For those most at risk, clean air is essential. As the average person spends around ninety percent of his or her time indoors, the clean air resulting from the use of an ultraviolet air purifier is significant to a healthy life, not only for those at high-risk but for everyone. In fact, ultraviolet light such as that from a UV air purifier is the only way to damage viruses so that they are harmless. And UV air cleaners are also highly effective against other harmful particulates, such as mold, allergens, and gases, which may irritate the respiratory system. These other air pollutants not only aggravate the respiratory system but also weaken the immune system as the body tries to fight against them, allowing for a greater risk of contracting an illness. Therefore, the use of an UV air purifier becomes even more necessary so that a strong immune system can fight off diseases like influenza. Ultraviolet air cleaners are effective against dust, surface mold, allergens, chemicals, and gases, thus aiding in the prevention of respiratory illness and reducing the spread of infection. With ultraviolet light such as that produced by a UV air purifier being one of the most effective ways to decrease and destroy airborne contaminants, the benefits of utilizing a UV air cleaner are substantial and well-documented. Along with an annual vaccination, the use of an ultraviolet air purifier to prevent the spread of influenza is recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This organization and many others strive to shed light on the fact that steps can be taken to avoid symptoms of the flu. In opposition to current statistics, which may suggest that contracting influenza is inevitable, many attest that one can greatly decrease his or her chances of coming down with the flu by following a few simple guidelines. General health practices such as hand-washing are essential. An annual flu vaccination can further decrease one's chances of contracting the viral infection. And an ultraviolet air cleaner can even more significantly prevent the spread of influenza. One can breathe in the clean air, knowing he or she will lead a healthier life.
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