Coronavirus or Air Conditioning Disease?

In the extreme heat of the summer, the air conditioners 'cave to the rescue' in the home, vehicle and office, cooling them quickly and giving happiness with their cooling effect at that moment, but they also fall into bed unnoticed! Acıbadem Dr. Sinasi Can (Kadıköy) Hospital Chest Diseases Specialist Dr. Zekai Tarım said, “We frequently encounter air-conditioning-related diseases these days. Exposure to extremely cold and dry air for a long time and decreased body resistance can easily pave the way for the development of some infections in the upper respiratory tract, lower respiratory tract and lung. It also creates a problem because it can cause similar complaints with Covid-19.” Chest Diseases Specialist Dr. Zekai Tarım explained the diseases that come with air conditioners and ways to protect them, and made important warnings and suggestions.

While the use of masks is critical in the Covid-19 pandemic, the epidemic disease of the century, the addition of excessive humidity to the sweltering summer heat affects daily life to a great extent. Air conditioners, which come to our rescue in the breathless heat, can unknowingly make them sick and put them to bed! Acıbadem Dr. Sinasi Can (Kadıköy) Hospital Chest Diseases Specialist Dr. Zekai Tarım, air conditioner-related diseases; Stating that the air conditioner can develop in two ways, depending on the physical and reservoir effects, he says: “Depending on the physical effects of the air conditioner, some discomforts may develop due to sudden temperature changes and excessive cooling of the environment. Continuous exposure to extremely cold and dry air and decrease in body resistance easily paves the way for the development of some infections in the upper respiratory tract, lower respiratory tract and lung; In addition, the dust spread by the air conditioner triggers the complaints and crises of people with allergies and asthma, and can cause asthma attacks and severe dry coughs. In addition, direct exposure to the cold air blown by air conditioners can cause edema and facial paralysis by affecting the nerve sheath on the face, causing muscle pain and muscle stiffness.

Symptoms can overlap!

Stating that air-conditioning diseases can overlap with Covid-19 infection, it is necessary to see a doctor instead of saying 'the air conditioner has hit'. Zekai Tarım said, “Climate diseases can also cause death if left untreated. It may be necessary to use appropriate antibiotics for these bacteria for at least 2 weeks for treatment. In the first 24-48 hours, symptoms such as weakness, malaise, widespread muscle and headaches, followed by fever, dry cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain can be seen, while in a small part of the patients, nervous system findings, concentration disorders and even coma may occur. ” says.

It hits the immune system!

Stating that the air blown by the air conditioners can weaken the local immune system in the respiratory tract and cause viruses and bacteria to settle and multiply, the humidity in the air decreases with the operation of the air conditioner, and the dry air condensed in the space can cause irritation in the nasal tissues and throat. Zekai Tarım says: “Viruses, bacteria and fungi can grow in air conditioner filters that are constantly humid. Microorganisms that accumulate in the filter systems of air conditioners that are not cleaned and maintained regularly and spread indoors when the air conditioners are turned on can cause respiratory tract infections. Legionella pneumonia is the most common of the climate diseases. Legionella pneumonia is a pneumonia caused by air-conditioning bacteria. Since this bacterium can easily live in humid environments and air-conditioning systems, the disease it causes is called 'air-conditioning disease' among the people. Bacteria that cause disease can reproduce in air conditioners and spread to the lungs with the inhaled air, causing disease if the maintenance and disinfection conditions are not followed. The potential of this bacterium to cause disease in a healthy body is quite weak, but low body resistance facilitates disease formation. In those with cancer, diabetes, alcoholism, chronic lung or liver disease, and heavy smokers, the frequency of development of the disease increases with the weakening of the immune system.

5 effective measures against air-conditioning diseases!

Maintenance and cleaning of air conditioners should be done every year. Filters should be changed. A bacteria filter should be used.

Care should be taken not to overcool the environment. Health problems caused by air conditioners usually occur as a result of unconscious or excessive use. On hot summer days, the temperature difference and sudden air change inside and outside the room reduces body resistance. The ideal temperature for the environment is 21-23 degrees.

Air conditioners that protect the humidity balance should be preferred or 1 glass of water can be kept in order to provide humidity in your environment. The ideal humidity in the environment should be between 40-60 percent.

Regular samples should be taken from air conditioners and examined in the laboratory at regular intervals.

While using the air conditioner, you should not be exposed to the direct wind of the air conditioner, you should not sit in front of it, and the place of the air conditioner should be determined by taking these into account. Air conditioners should be used by decreasing the temperature gradually at certain intervals.