Do not get sick while trying to cool down

29 JUNE 2021

With the sweltering summer heat being effective, a 'health' warning came from an expert to those who finds the solution to turn on the air conditioner to cool off. Research Assistant Ecem Özgül from Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Faculty of Health Sciences said that the use of air conditioners senselessly and without paying attention to hygiene rules can cause problems such as pneumonia, respiratory diseases, and joint disorders. Özgül, who shared important information about 'Legionnaires' disease', also known as air conditioner disease, listed her recommendations for healthy air conditioning in 7 items.

Giving examples of frequently made mistakes regarding the use of air conditioners, Özgül said, “Air conditioning is a fact of our lives; we are exposed to air conditioning at home, at work, in the car, in the restaurant or in the store. Especially with the increase in temperature, the use of air conditioners is inevitable, like many people, I also use air conditioners. However, there are some rules for using air conditioners. Firstly, it is necessary to regularly clean the filters in the air conditioning systems that provide clean air flow. You can get help from the technical service in this regard. Otherwise, this may cause an increase in dust, pollen, and various microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the air, leading to allergic reactions, various infections, and other health problems. One of the most common mistakes is not cleaning the air conditioner filters on time.”

DON'T TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER AS SOON AS YOU ARRIVE

Özgül continued as follows: “The angle of the air conditioner should not be adjusted so that it is directly above the person. Adjusting the air conditioner blades to the floor or ceiling also prevents a possible air conditioning sickness. Air conditioners should not be lowered below 23-24 degrees in summer and should not be operated at 18-19 degrees for a long time. It is a common mistake to turn on the air conditioner as soon as you come from outside and stand in front of it. Before turning on the air conditioner, we can wait for the body temperature to drop and wash our face and wrists during this time; after that, we can turn on the air conditioner. This would be a much healthier and ideal solution. When the air conditioner is turned on, the windows and doors are closed to prevent outside air, and it can be forgotten that the environment must be ventilated during this time. For this reason, we should ventilate the room frequently during the day. If all these are not taken into account; health problems such as cough, nasal congestion, long-term exhaustion, headache, pain in different parts of the body, fever and nausea may occur.”

IT MAY NOT SHOW ANY SYMPTOMS

Özgül stated that Legionella bacteria can reproduce in the cooling systems of the air conditioner and that if the filtration is insufficient, breathing in the air released from the air conditioner can cause 'Legionnaires' disease', which is an important health problem. Özgül said, “Legionnaires' disease is a lung infection. Symptoms such as weakness, headache, fever, chills, dry cough or phlegm, muscle aches, shortness of breath can be observed in individuals exposed to these bacteria. Although symptoms of the disease do not develop in every individual exposed to Legionella bacteria, individuals should be very cautious as it can cause death in affected individuals. The presence of additional diseases in individuals, smoking, use of drugs that suppress the immune system, and the presence of factors such as advanced age can also increase the risk of getting sick. The way to avoid all these is to take care of air conditioner maintenance, timely filter maintenance and conscious use.”

THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR

1- Sterilize the filters that provide clean air flow regularly.

2- Do not try to reduce the room temperature to very low degrees such as 18-19.

3- Adjust the air conditioner angle to the floor or ceiling.

4- Do not turn on the air conditioner immediately after coming from outside, first lower your body temperature.

5- Ventilate your room frequently.

6- Turn on the air conditioner before going to sleep, not while you sleep, and adjust the room temperature.

7- Do not make the fan speed of the air conditioner, that is, the operating mode, too fast.