Contents
Air conditioning can be a salvation on days like today. With temperatures above 30 degrees, many of us look for an opportunity to cool down. However, to take advantage of the benefits of colder air, we should take care of it properly. What can threaten us? The list of diseases resulting from improperly working air conditioning is really large.
- When looking for relief in a switched-on air conditioner, remember that it can harbor many bacteria, fungi and molds.
- Too low temperature, instead of relief, can bring us respiratory infections
- We should also be careful about the dangers of too dry air resulting from air conditioning
- You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page
Air conditioning – who should be careful?
Air conditioning used on hot days brings relief, especially to those who are particularly bad at high temperatures (pregnant women, the elderly, struggling with cardiovascular diseases or respiratory system diseases).
However, if it is poorly set up or too rarely cleaned, it can do more harm than good.
The threats are mainly mold, fungi, bacteria or mites that remain in air conditioners and spread during the operation of the device. They can worsen asthma and allergy symptoms. Legionella pnuemophila bacteria are present in air-conditioning systems, which can cause Legionnaires’ disease.
Too much difference between the temperature outside and that in an air-conditioned room can contribute to a headache, sinusitis, colds and other infections. Therefore, people with reduced immunity should be careful and those more often than others who develop respiratory infections.
On the other hand, too dry air blown in by air conditioners causes dryness of the skin, eye and nasal mucosa.
Health organizations also mention migraines, fatigue, laryngitis and bronchitis, cough and conjunctival problems among the diseases related to air conditioning. According to research by the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery almost 20 percent. all symptoms of laryngitis, pharyngitis or bronchitis occurring in summer are a consequence of improperly used air conditioning.
Watch out for bacteria and fungi
Hardly anyone remembers that air conditioners, both indoors and in cars, should be cleaned at least once a year (manufacturers even write about a six-month cycle). The cooled or heated air in these devices over time becomes an excellent environment for the growth of fungi, bacteria, mold, mites and other microorganisms.
How should air conditioners be maintained? First of all, they should be regularly fumigated, if necessary, filters should be cleaned or replaced, as well as the cooling agent.
Air conditioning and Legionnaires’ disease
One of the bacteria found in too rarely cleaned air conditioners is Legionella pneumophila, which causes legionellosis, also known as Legionnaires’ disease. Legionella feels great in a humid environment, favored by a wide temperature range. It spreads with water particles, so infection can occur when you inhale contaminated aerosols.
Legionellosis is a potentially fatal respiratory disease. It is difficult to diagnose, the symptoms are not specific and may not appear until two weeks after infection. The disease can cause high temperature, chills, coughing, stomach discomfort and even pneumonia.
Bacteria inhabiting improperly maintained air conditioning can also cause it Pontiac fever – mild flu-like illness with symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract. On the other hand humidifying fever is an allergic reaction with symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, conjunctivitis, and rash.
Appropriate temperature and humidity are important
Air conditioning infections are often the result of too much temperature difference. The difference between that outside and that set in a room or car should not be greater than 6-8 degrees. When there is exceptional heat outside the window, the difference may be greater, but it should not be several degrees.
The most frequently recommended temperature level is no less than 19 degrees in summer (22 in winter).
When we go too far with lowering the temperature, we run the risk of coughing, hoarseness, scratching the throat, and in more serious cases, a cold, flu, sinus problems or chronic headache.
Avoid exposure to direct blasts of cold air from the air conditioner. This also applies to windmills.
We should also remember about the temperature difference when leaving an air-conditioned room. Before we go out into the heat or go to a much warmer place, we should turn off the air conditioning a few minutes earlier to adapt the body to the change.
Another very important element of air conditioning is humidity. Incorrect positioning will prevent drying of the skin, throat, mucous membranes of the nose and eyes. How to prevent it? Then it is worth taking care of proper hydration, drinking water or using appropriate eye drops and nasal solutions.
At Medonet Market you will find Lakroft moisturizing eye drops.
We close the windows
In order for our device to work efficiently (and also less painful for the wallet), we should remember to close the windows. The incoming warm air will cause the reflex to change the temperature settings to an even lower temperature.
For the same reason, it is also worth covering the windows to reduce the amount of sunlight.
We encourage you to listen to the latest episode of the RESET podcast. This time our guest is Marek Rybiec – businessman, as one of 78 people from all over the world, he completed «4 Deserts» – ultramarathon taking place in extreme places around the world. She talks to Aleksandra Brzozowska about the challenge, mental strength and mindfulness training. Listen!