What kinds of microbes are found in the HVAC system?

The kinds of microscopic airborne pathogens—toxic microbes—that may take up residence in your household air ducts include viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

Any residence or office building with central heating invites these microbes with promises of warm, moist accommodations in out-of-the-way locales where chances are excellent they will not be disturbed. 

HVAC—heating, ventilation, and air conditioning—equipment manufacturers offer filtration add-ons aimed at evicting these tiny disease and allergy-causing boarders, but it is nearly impossible to keep your HVAC network completely vacant of microbes. 

Some of the most noxious of these uninvited guests include:

• Rhinovirus—that cold-causing, contagious culprit
• Coxsacklevirus—an upper respiratory-attacking cohort
• Orthomyxorvirus—a.k.a. the flu bug
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae—a bacteria that causes pneumonia
• Chlamydia pneumonia—ditto
• Mycobactermium tuberculosis—a good whiff of this guy can cause TB
• Corynebacteria diphtheria—the diphtheria bacteria (note:  most Americans are vaccinated against this disease)
• Histoplasma capsulatum—a common mold that causes hiptoplasmosis that can be fatal if allowed to spread from the lungs into other bodily organs
• Cryptococcus neoformans—a very common household mold that can introduce cryptococcosis into your air space, a potentially fatal fungal disease

Because you and your family must inhale these airborne pathogens before they can take up residence in your lungs, sinuses, and organs, your HVAC innocently facilitates the process by spewing them into the air you breathe.  Therefore, make sure you are taking all necessary precautions to maintain your system at optimum cleanliness; consult your HVAC technician for expert advice.