"The groundwork of all happiness is health." - Leigh Hunt

Can air-con really make you sick? A microsologist explains

In the recent summer days, air-con can feel away from paradise. It keeps the temperature comfortable and controls moisture, which may make the indoor environment much more tolerable in hot days.

But some people refrain from using air-con (AC), no matter how hot it gets, fear that they are going to make them sick. Although this can be a far -reaching thing for some people, I can say as a microsologist that this fear is just not baseless.

If the air-con system is just not defective or properly intact, it could be contaminated with infectious germs. This can turn your AC unit into a possible source The multiple infections generated from the air – From common cold to pneumonia.

Sick buildings

“Sick Building Syndrome” Symptoms are the overall name that may develop after spending an prolonged period of air -conditioned environment. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, sheep or running nose, everlasting cough or housewife, skin irritation or irritation, work and fatigue.

This is the case in individuals who work in office settings, but may also occur to someone who spends an prolonged period of aerial -conditioned buildings like hospitals. The symptoms of sick constructing syndrome are so long as you deteriorate in a specific constructing, and after you permit it.

A 2023 studies Compared to 200 healthy adults from India who worked no less than six to eight hours every day within the air -conditioned office, with 200 healthy adults who didn’t work in AC. The AC group experienced more symptoms in line with the sick constructing syndrome through the two-year study period-especially the spread of allergies. The essential thing is that clinical tests showed individuals who were brought before the AC, that they had a poor lung function and were more often absent than the non -AC group.

Other studies have confirmed that AC Office staff have a More spread of sick building syndrome Compared to individuals who don’t work in air -conditioned environment.

It is suspected that the sick constructing is a reason for the syndrome Error -related air conditioner. When an AC unit is just not operating properly, it could release allergens, chemicals and air -powered microorganisms within the air which are normally trapped.

Error -related air conditioners may also Issue Chemical Voices From AC cleansing products or Refrigerate The air of the constructing has chemicals comparable to benzene, formelidhids and toolivin toxic and cans Disturb the breath system.

Poorly retaining air-con systems may also port the bacterial pathogens that may cause serious infections.

He is the explanation for the bacteria Lehner's disease – Lung infections are contracted with droplets of water containing these bacteria. They grow in a water -rich environment comparable to hot tubs or air-con systems.

AC units have to be properly cleaned and maintained to forestall the spread of infection.
Studio romantic/ shutter stock

Legionella infection is usually trapped in sectarian locations comparable to hotels, hospitals or offices, where bacteria have contaminated water supply. Symptoms of Lehner's disease There are symptoms like pneumonia, that are symptoms comparable to cough, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, fever and customary flu. Symptoms normally appear between two and 14 days.

Leagyonella infection There could also be a life -threatening risk and sometimes have to be hospitalized. Recovery may take several weeks.

Fungi and viral infection

The accumulation of dust and moisture inside the air-con system can create the best conditions for the rise of other infectious germs.

For example, research on the hospital AC system has shown that fungus, and frequently accumulate in water -rich areas. Hospital ventilation system.

These fungal infections may be serious in weak patients, comparable to those that are immunocomized, have organized organs or are on dialysis – in addition to children who were born prematurely. For example, Causes pneumonia, lung boils, brain, liver, spleen, kidney and skin, and may also affect burns and wounds.

Symptoms of Cookie infections Are Most of the breath And add everlasting domestic or cough, fever, shortness of breath, fatigue and weight reduction.

Viral infection can be caught by air-con. A Case Study Revealed that children in a Chinese kindergarten class were affected by this Noro virus pathogen From their AC system. Due to this, 20 students experienced stomach flu.

Although the Noro virus normally moves through close contact with an affected person or after touching a contaminated surface, it is just not confirmed, unusually, that the virus was spread through the air – which begins with the air-con unit at the category restroom. Several other cases Norwires has been reported to spread this fashion.

However, air conditioners may also help Stop the spread of the virus caused by the air. Research shows AC units which are usually maintained and sitezed can reduce the surface of normal virus circulating, Including Kovid.

Another reason that AC can increase the chance of catching your infection is because of find out how to control the extent of air conditioner moisture. This is greater than the air outside the air.

I spent in an prolonged period The atmosphere of the lower chamto Can dry the mucus membranes in your nose and throat. This may affect how they prevent bacteria and cookies from going into your body – and you may leave a more risk of developing Deep tissue infection Of the sinus

The air conditioner is designed to filter air pollution, fungal egends, bacteria and viruses, and prevents them from entering the respiratory air contained in the house. But this protective shield may be compromised if a system filter is old or dirty, or if the system is just not clean. Good AC maintenance is mandatory to forestall Infection derived from the air conditioner.