Methods to Minimize COVID-19 Exposure Risk
In a recent interview with Almaty.tv, Dr. Vladimir Bolibok, an allergist-immunologist, emphasized the importance of maintaining clean air in the bedroom to reduce the risk of viral infections, including COVID-19.
According to Dr. Bolibok, active breathing during sleep in the bedroom increases the significance of clean air. He advises prioritizing cleaning the bedroom due to the amount of time spent there, as an average person spends 6-8 hours in the bedroom, with some spending up to 10 hours.
To maintain clean air at all times in the bedroom, Dr. Bolibok recommends several key strategies:
- Use a high-quality air purifier with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters effectively trap airborne viral particles, allergens, dust mites, mold spores, and other particulates, reducing inhalation risks during sleep and limiting allergens that could worsen respiratory symptoms.
- Ensure good ventilation. Well-ventilated spaces help prevent the buildup of viral particles. This can be done by turning on air conditioning to keep air flowing, opening windows when weather permits, or using fans to circulate fresh air.
- Keep surfaces clean and disinfected regularly. Viruses can survive on surfaces for days. Regular cleaning removes dirt and germs, while disinfecting with appropriate solutions (e.g., a bleach solution or chemical disinfectants) kills viruses on objects and surfaces.
- Minimize allergens and odors. Air purifiers with carbon filters neutralize odors and reduce exposure to pet dander, smoke, and volatile organic compounds that degrade air quality and may irritate the respiratory tract.
Additional helpful practices include covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing and practicing good hand hygiene to reduce viral spread. Using air purifier models with quiet operation can add soothing white noise, which benefits sleep without compromising air quality.
Dr. Bolibok also suggests ventilating or leaving rooms other than the bedroom when necessary. He emphasizes that the quality of the air we breathe affects our body's susceptibility to infections.
The interview with Dr. Bolibok was published on radiosputnik.ria.ru. It's crucial to remember that maintaining clean air in the bedroom is just one part of a broader strategy to reduce the risk of viral infections like COVID-19. Other rooms can have their air composition and quality controlled during awake hours. Moreover, a person tolerates respiratory diseases, including coronavirus infection, easier with more oxygen in the air.
[1] Air Purifiers 101: How They Work and Their Benefits [2] Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home [4] COVID-19 and Air Quality: What You Need to Know
- To reduce the risk of medical-conditions like COVID-19, it's essential to maintain clean air, especially in the bedroom, as it's where we spend a significant amount of time.
- Using a high-quality air purifier with a HEPA filter can help trap airborne viral particles, allergens, and dust mites, thereby reducing inhalation risks during sleep.
- Practicing good health-and-wellness habits such as regular cleaning, disinfecting, and minimizing allergens and odors can also contribute to good air quality in the bedroom.
- Fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, and nutrition are equally important aspects of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but ensuring clean air in our living spaces, including the bedroom, plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of respiratory-conditions and viral infections.
