Why We’re Using SAN-AIR to Eliminate Influenza A (H1N1) This Season
, by Tatianna Gerard, 15 min reading time
When cold and flu season hits, most of us instinctively reach for the hand sanitiser. It’s a quick, convenient way to keep germs at bay—especially when we’re out and about. But while clean hands are definitely important, they’re just one part of the picture.
What often gets overlooked is the air we breathe.
Viruses like Influenza A (including strains such as H1N1), and Influenza B don’t just linger on surfaces—they can float through the air in tiny particles, especially in enclosed spaces like homes, offices, and classrooms. So even if you’ve wiped down every bench and washed your hands to the bone, you might still be inhaling airborne viruses without realising it, especially if you’re not wearing a face mask to protect yourself.
So how do we tackle air hygiene? There are several ways to improve the quality of the air in your home or workplace—but in this blog, we’re putting the spotlight on one powerful tool: SAN-AIR™ V3R Air Conditioning & Air Handler Gel Diffusers. These clever little gel diffusers don’t just mask odours—they actively work to not only reduce airborne mould spores but also airborne viruses, including the flu-causing Influenza A.
How viruses Like influenza A (H1N1) actually spread indoors
When we think about catching a cold or the flu, it’s easy to imagine picking up germs from touching a shared surface—like a doorknob, tap, or someone else’s keyboard. And while surface transmission is certainly one way viruses spread, it’s only part of the story.
Influenza A, including the H1N1 strain, is primarily spread through the air. When someone coughs, sneezes, talks, or even breathes, they release tiny droplets and aerosols into the air. These droplets can travel several metres and linger in the air—especially in closed or poorly ventilated spaces. You might not even realise someone nearby is unwell, but if you're sharing the same air, you're potentially sharing their germs too.
While both Influenza A and B can cause seasonal flu in humans, Influenza A is generally more common and more likely to lead to larger outbreaks and severe symptoms. It’s also the type more often associated with pandemics, such as the H1N1 “swine flu” strain. Influenza B tends to circulate more steadily and usually causes milder illness—but it still spreads, particularly among children.
Read more: Influenza A vs. Influenza B: What are the Differences?
What’s more, viruses don’t just vanish after someone leaves the room. In some cases, they can remain suspended in the air for hours, depending on airflow and ventilation. Heating and cooling systems, fans, and air conditioners can also help spread these tiny particles from one room to another.
It’s easy to see how a single sick person in an office, classroom, or household can unknowingly affect everyone else—even without direct contact.
That’s why tackling air quality isn’t just a “nice-to-have” anymore—it’s a smart step in stopping the spread of cold and flu viruses indoors.
The missing link in flu prevention: Air hygiene
When it comes to staying healthy during flu season, we’ve all heard the usual advice—wash your hands, wear a face mask, cover your mouth when you cough, wipe down high-touch surfaces. These are all important steps, but there’s one area that often gets left out of the conversation: the air around us.
We spend up to 90% of our time indoors, especially during the colder months when windows stay shut and fresh air is limited. That creates the perfect environment for airborne viruses to build up and circulate. And in shared spaces like offices, waiting rooms, schools, and even homes with central heating or air conditioning, viruses can easily move from room to room through airflow.
That’s where air hygiene comes in.
Just like we practise hand hygiene to stop germs spreading by touch, air hygiene focuses on reducing airborne contaminants—whether that’s dust, mould spores, bacteria, or viruses like Influenza A. It’s a concept that’s gaining more attention, especially since the pandemic, but it’s still not widely practised in everyday settings.
By making air hygiene part of your regular routine—alongside handwashing, wearing a face mask and surface cleaning—you’re covering all angles of prevention. And thankfully, there are simple, low-effort ways to do it… including one we’re about to dive into: SAN-AIR™ V3R Gel Diffusers.
What makes SAN-AIR™ V3R Gel Diffusers different?
Not all air fresheners or diffusers are created equal—and SAN-AIR™ V3R Gel Diffusers are in a league of their own when it comes to protecting your indoor environment during flu season.
Unlike typical air fresheners that just mask smells, SAN-AIR™ gel products are designed to actively reduce airborne contaminants, including bacteria, mould, and viruses. In fact, independent testing by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) showed that SAN-AIR™ products significantly reduced the presence of H1N1 Influenza A—both on surfaces and in the air.
In surface testing, the SAN-AIR™ gels reduced the number of viable H1N1 viruses by up to 99%, while in airborne tests, the vapour from the gel was shown to reduce aerosolised H1N1 virus particles by 37% after just 20 minutes of exposure.
So, how does the product work?
The V3R Gel Diffuser gradually releases a vapour made from natural ingredients, including SAN-AIR’s own proprietary bioactive compound. This vapour spreads through the air and interacts with microbes, disrupting their ability to grow and reproduce.
What makes SAN-AIR™ even more unique is that it acts as a biostat, rather than a harsh virucide or biocide. This means it doesn’t just kill microorganisms outright (which can sometimes lead to resistance or safety concerns)—instead, it safely inhibits their growth and reproduction, making it a gentler but highly effective long-term solution. This makes SAN-AIR™ a smart choice for use around people, pets, and food preparation areas.
The V3R Gel Diffusers are specifically designed for use in air conditioning units and air handling systems, making it ideal for improving air quality in homes, offices, medical centres, schools, and other shared spaces where viruses can easily circulate.
Where and how to use SAN-AIR™ V3R Gel Diffusers
Using SAN-AIR™ V3R Gel Diffusers is simple—and once it’s in place, it works quietly in the background to purify the air around you.
If you're using the V3R Air Conditioning Reactive Gel 100g, just remove the cap, peel off the seal, and pop the cap back on. Then, place the tub directly into the return air well of your air conditioning unit. As air circulates through the system, it carries the active vapours throughout your indoor space. Don’t have access to an air conditioning return vent? No problem—the diffuser can also be placed indoors near a fan or airflow source to help disperse the vapour effectively. Alternatively, you can also use the fan diffusers (available at Aussie Pharma Direct) to better distribute the product in the air for the most optimal results.
Check out the options of fan diffusers that are compatible with the 100g diffuser gel:
For larger or more commercial systems, the V3R Air Handler Reactive Gels are your go-to. Simply take the gel bag out of the blue box, cut it open, and pour the contents into the box. Slide the lid on and place the box in the return air vent, ideally in front of the filter or coils so the air flows directly through it.
Each diffuser is designed to last up to 10 weeks, depending on usage and the size of the area you're treating. For best results, it’s important to follow the recommended usage for your room or system size—we’ll share a handy guide below so you can find the right fit for your space.
|
SAN-AIR™ V3R Air Handler/Air Conditioning Gel Diffuser Size |
For Area Size |
|
100g Air Conditioning Gel Diffuser |
Up to 150m² |
|
250g Air Handler Gel Diffuser |
Up to 375m² |
|
500g Air Handler Gel Diffuser |
Up to 750m² |
|
1kg Air Handler Gel Diffuser |
Up to 1500m² |
Layering your defence: Air + Hands + Surfaces
When it comes to protecting yourself and your loved ones during flu season, no single method offers 100% protection—but combining a few smart strategies can make a big difference.
Think of it like layering your clothing in winter. Each layer adds a level of protection, and together, they help you stay safe and comfortable. The same idea applies to hygiene:
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Hand hygiene helps stop the transfer of germs from surfaces to your mouth, nose, or eyes.
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Surface cleaning reduces the risk of contact with contaminated objects. Regularly sanitising and disinfecting high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and countertops is crucial for preventing the spread of germs and viruses. Aim to sanitise these areas at least once a day, or more often if someone in the household is sick.
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When you're feeling under the weather, especially with the flu, wearing a face mask can help reduce the risk of passing them on to those around you, particularly in public places or close-contact environments.
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And air hygiene adds a crucial fourth layer—helping to reduce the number of airborne microbes that might otherwise go undetected.
An easy and effective way to disinfect your space is by using the ViroCLEAR Sanitising & Protectant Disinfectant Fogger. This product allows you to simply press a button, leave the room, and it will release an ultra-fine mist of disinfectant throughout the entire area. It’s designed to reach even the hard-to-reach areas like corners, vents, and under furniture, ensuring comprehensive disinfection without any extra effort on your part. It’s a perfect solution for maintaining a virus-free environment, especially when dealing with infections like the flu.
Once done, using the SAN-AIR™ V3R Gel Diffusers after that will give your space a passive, continuous layer of protection. While you go about your day, the diffuser works quietly to improve the air quality around you—making it harder for viruses, bacteria, and mould to survive or spread.
When combined with regular cleaning and good personal hygiene, it creates a well-rounded defence that supports healthier indoor living—not just during flu season, but all year round.
Shop SAN-AIR™ V3R Gel Diffusers & Other Essentials for Protection Now
SAN-AIR™ V3R Air Conditioning Gel Diffuser
Designed for use in air conditioning systems and air handlers. Place the tub directly into the return air well of your air conditioning unit.
$36.00
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SAN-AIR™ V3R Air Handler Gel Diffuser
Ideal for large and small ducted air conditioning systems. Place the box in the return air vent, ideally in front of the filter or coils so the air flows directly through it.
$119.00
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SAN-AIR™ Air Diffuser / Dispenser
By distributing the gel into the air and throughout the room, it effectively targets airborne bacteria, mould, and spores. Convenient and durable design with both freestanding and wall-mountable options.
$59.00
$56.95
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Fan Fresh Wall Mounted Diffuser / Dispenser - Professional Edition
Fan design combined with programmable settings ensures efficient distribution of the mould gel throughout your space. It mounts easily to walls for space-saving and efficient placement.
$58.95
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SAN-AIR Clean Air Bundle
Breathe easy and save more with the SAN-AIR Clean Air Bundle! This money-saving pack combines SAN-AIR’s most popular mould and bacteria control products to help purify your indoor air naturally.
$86.20
$76.58
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AMD P2 Premium Respirator Australian Made 4-Layer Nano-Tech Face Mask - Earloops
AMD P2 mask features a 4-layer design, including a nano-filter core for advanced filtration. With a Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE) of 99.66% and Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) of 99.92% (AS 4381 Level 3 certified), AMD P2 Masks are one of the best and most trusted Australian masks, offering reliable protection against airborne particles, aerosols, and harmful contaminants, including mould spores.
$149.00
$79.90
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ViroCLEAR Sanitiser & Protectant Disinfectant Fogger
Sanitising your spaces has never been easier with the ViroCLEAR Sanitising & Protectant Fogger. With just the press of a button, it releases an ultra-fine mist throughout the room, quickly covering all surfaces. Powered by a natural, non-alcohol formula containing 0.12% benzalkonium chloride, it effectively eliminates 99.99% of germs and bacteria.
$19.95
$11.95
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