Airfree

The new Coronavirus

The Coronavirus originates from a family of viruses that can cause respiratory diseases and whose structure is rather pointy, resembling a crown (from Spanish, “corona”). According to W.H.O (World Health Organisation), a new kind of virus, known as 2019-nCoV or “Coronavirus”, has been discovered on January 7th by the Chinese authorities.

Until then, there were only six kinds of coronavirus that could infect humans, going from the harmless mutations, responsible for the common flu, to the most hazardous ones, such as the MERS (Middle East Respiratory Disease), which killed hundreds of people every year in the last two decades.

The symptoms of the new coronavirus (2019-nCov) may include fever, cough, fatigue and shortness of breath. In milder cases of the coronavirus, the infected person will experience something similar to a flu, while severe cases can cause pneumonia, renal insufficiency and even death.

How does it spread?
According to the National Health Commission of China, the new coronavirus can spread before symptoms even appear. However, it's unclear how easily it spreads from person to person. This same Health Comission also alerts to the fact that the coronavirus's incubation period can vary between one to fourteen days.

What is the treatment?
There is no specific treatment, but research is underway. Most of the time, symptoms will go away on their own and experts advise seeking care early. If symptoms feel worse than a standard cold, see your doctor.
Doctors can relieve symptoms by prescribing pain or fever medication. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also states a room humidifier or a hot shower can help with a sore throat or cough. Drink plenty of fluids, get rest and sleep as much as possible.

How to protect yourself from getting infected according to the World

Health Organization?
WHO’s standard recommendations for the general public to reduce exposure to and transmission of a range of illnesses
are as follows, which include hand and respiratory hygiene, and safe food practices:
Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water;
When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissueaway immediately and wash hands;
Avoid close contact with anyone who hasa fever and cough;
If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider;

When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of the novel coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals;

The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross- contamination with uncookedfoods, as per good food safety practices.

Some examples of virus inactivation through heat

Numerous studies have been conducted on the inactivation of viruses through heat application. For instance, the HIV virus in the blood will die when exposed to 77°C for only 0.006 seconds. In another study, "parvovirus" and "phage phiX174" were completely inactivated when exposed to 103°C for 90 seconds. In the case of herpes viruses, elevated temperatures inhibit the release of proteins necessary for a successful infection.

Airborne viruses are no different. A study of respiratory syncytial virus (the main cause of wheezing in children less than 2 years old) showed that when the virus is exposed to 65°C for 45 minutes, its infection capacity is decreased, and the conformational proteins are transformed, reducing the activity of substances responsible for inflammation, hypersensitivity and airway damage.

The SARS virus (causative agent of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) has thermosensitive (heat-sensitive) proteins in its envelope, which can be fully denatured at 55°C, the same temperature at which the SARS virus was proven to be inactivated.
Similarly, the proteins that are essential for the transmission of infectious influenza viruses are sensitive to variations in pH and temperatures between 55°C and 70°C6.

Airfree® and its TSS™ ceramic core;
We have just seen some examples of virus inactivation through heating. In all these cases the temperatures were lower than the internal temperature of 200°C found in the Airfree TSS™ ceramic core.

Since 1977, studies show that the higher the temperature, the faster the proteins are denatured. Therefore, we can conclude that in most cases, Airfree ® purifier is effective in inactivating proteins from viruses, resulting in their inability to cause infections.

Warning: Airfree’s technology is capable of eliminating all kinds of airborne viruses, representing, therefore, a great ally in the fight against contamination. However, it is not possible to guarantee viruses won’t be inhaled before they are destroyed. Consequently, Airfree does not substitute any of the measures indicated by health agencies throughout the world.

How do they work?
They dramatically reduce air pollution by burning the microorganisms. As a result, the contaminated air is drawn into the Airfree® ceramic core and destroyed at high temperatures. This air purification cycle is silent, requires no maintenance and is guaranteed by numerous tests.