The Virus in the Room: What You're Breathing and Why It Matters

We all take around 20,000 breaths a day. Most of the time, we don’t think twice about the air going in and out of our lungs. But maybe we should. Especially when viruses like COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and even the common cold are floating through the air in ways we often can't see or stop—unless we take the right steps.

If you’ve ever sat in a waiting room, ridden an elevator, or spent a few hours in a busy office during flu season, you’ve probably shared air with someone who was sick. And even if they weren’t coughing or sneezing, tiny virus-carrying particles may still have been circulating in the space around you.

This post is about those particles—how they work, why they’re more dangerous than we often realize, and what we can actually do to protect ourselves and the people around us.

How Viruses Spread Through the Air

Airborne viruses don’t drift through the air on their own. They attach themselves to microscopic droplets and aerosols produced when we breathe, talk, laugh, cough, or sneeze. These particles are often less than 5 microns in size—so small they can stay suspended in the air for hours, especially in enclosed spaces.

Once they’re in the air, they can be inhaled by anyone nearby. In places without proper filtration or airflow, they build up over time. That’s why outbreaks happen so quickly in classrooms, office buildings, nursing homes, and airplanes.

What’s even more concerning is that some viruses, like SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), can spread even before symptoms show up. That means someone can be contagious without even knowing they’re sick—and still filling the air with infectious particles.

Why Standard Filters Aren’t Enough

Most basic HVAC filters are designed to trap large debris like dust, pollen, and pet dander. They help keep your system clean and improve air quality a bit, but they’re not built to deal with tiny virus-carrying aerosols. These smaller particles easily slip through traditional filters and continue circulating through your space.

And even if a virus particle is caught in a standard filter, it might still be active. That means your filter could unintentionally become a place where viruses collect and remain infectious. Not exactly what you want sitting in your air system.

The Case for Antiviral Filtration

This is where antiviral filters make a big difference. Instead of just catching virus particles, they actively neutralize them. The technology behind these filters is pretty fascinating. Here’s a breakdown of how they work:

Capture: The filter’s media traps airborne viral particles before they can keep circulating.

Attack: Special antiviral treatments built into the filter break down the virus’s outer proteins and damage the RNA, stopping it from spreading or replicating.

Encapsulate: The inactivated particles are then held tightly in place, preventing them from re-entering the airstream.

The result? Air that’s not only cleaner, but safer.

Independent testing has shown that filters with VE3 technology can inactivate more than 99.99% of COVID-19 particles and over 99.9995% of influenza A particles. That’s not marketing fluff—it’s real science confirmed by Microbac Laboratories, a global leader in virus testing.

Why It Matters More Than Ever

We now know that indoor air quality affects everything from productivity to long-term health. And in a world still recovering from a pandemic, protecting shared air is no longer optional—it’s essential.

Think about the people in your life who are most vulnerable. Children, elderly parents, coworkers with asthma, friends recovering from illness. Investing in antiviral air filtration isn’t just about comfort. It’s about care.

Introducing Clairity HealthGuard

If you’re looking for an easy but powerful way to improve your indoor air quality, Clairity HealthGuard is here to help. These MERV 11 pre-filters feature built-in VE3 antiviral technology, providing advanced protection without sacrificing airflow or efficiency.

Clairity HealthGuard is...

...effective at trapping and inactivating viral particles directly on the filter media

...backed by independent lab testing

...engineered for better airflow and longer filter life

...ideal for schools, offices, homes, and healthcare settings

Clairity HealthGuard filters are a smart, proactive way to create a safer indoor environment—for you, your family, your staff, or your customers.

If you want to learn more, check out our convenient HealthGuard subscription plan. Our filters are reasonably priced, US-made, and ship directly to your doorstep.

If you have questions or concerns, contact us at info@clairityfilters.com