When first diagnosed with a rare placental inflammatory disease known as Massive Chronic Intervillositis or chronic histiocytic intervillositis (CHI) in the summer of 2020, there seemed to be very little knowledge about this condition.
CHI sees the mother’s own immune system rejecting the placenta in the womb. Researchers believe that some antibodies mistake the placenta for an alien object, causing it to be rejected.
A similar situation can occur when people receive organ transplants, because it has come from a different person’s body.
After seeking specialist medical guidance and support from a London Professor I learnt that there is currently no cure for the condition and only experimental treatment available with mixed results.
One fundamental aspect of the treatment plan is to suppress a mother’s immune system, which during a normal year would come with its own risks but during a global pandemic I faced the difficult challenge of keeping myself as safe and healthy as possible.
As a family, we took the necessary measures to reduce the risks; I worked from home and shielded avoiding going out and about, family and friends were seen very infrequently and always outdoors – but this wasn’t enough considering other household members were attending school and office environments.
So, it was at this point that we researched into air purification and found CorrMed and AIRsteril. The CorrMed team were very understanding of our unique situation, knowledgeable on the technology and happy to answer any questions that we had.
They worked out the best AIRsteril units for each room, we just supplied the room measurements, and everything was shipped to us next working day. The AIRsteril units could not be simpler to install, a plug-and-go system and can be hung on the wall like a picture.
AIRsteril is scientifically proven to kill 99.9% of germs and viruses in the air and on surfaces, as well as reduce cross-infection and cross-contamination, so we knew it was the best solution for us.
At home we installed AIRsteril units into our kitchen and living areas as well as all bedrooms for maximum effectiveness. The units in our bedrooms were silent to not rouse a sleeping toddler and discrete enough to blend into the surroundings. My husband also uses a portable AIRsteril unit at work that he can move from room to room depending on where he is working that day.
As a family during the year 2021 when I was completely immune suppressed, our son continued to attend preschool and my husband carried on working, but with AIRsteril units operating in our home; not one of us got ill - at any point. I highly doubt that was luck!
I truly believe that these units played a huge part in keeping us all safe, especially me and our unborn child. During such a challenging time, these units not only protected me, but provided me with comfort, a sense of security and complete peace of mind whilst at home. Needless to say, the AIRsteril units remain a part of our family!!