Airborne bacteria are responsible for a variety of respiratory infections and infectious diseases. Among the possible illnesses are chicken pox, pneumonia, meningitis, tuberculosis, strep throat, and bronchitis. Those with weaker immunity levels such as infants, the elderly, and those with allergies or asthma are most susceptible to these airborne pathogens.
Definition:
Single-celled, highly adaptive microscopic organisms that are capable of multiplying rapidly. They can be classified in one way by their shape: rod, sphere, or spiral. Bacteria are present everywhere and in all environments.
Facts:
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Some bacteria can reproduce as quickly as every 20 minutes
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Bacteria can live in extreme environments such as mountain tops, glaciers, hot springs, and the dead sea
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Bacteria are helpful in the environment - used in making fuel and medicine, cleaning up by aiding in the decomposition of plants and animals, and used in the production of foods such as yogurt, cheese, and sour cream
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Helpful bacteria in the human body protect you from becoming sick by attacking harmful bacteria and aid in the digestion of food
Reactions:
This particle, unlike many other particles in relation to air filtration, is not an allergen that causes allergic reactions only to certain people. There are those that are more vulnerable to infection, but we all "react" to bad bacteria. Most of the bacteria in our bodies are beneficial. But when bad bacteria invades, generally through the respiratory system, the good bacteria can be overpowered. This results in a bacterial infection. Symptoms vary according to the type of infection, but mainly consist of some form or combination of the following:
Particle Size:
There are a vast number of bacteria with a great range in particle size. The majority of bacteria are .3-2.0 microns, but the overall range is between .1 and 600 microns