Be careful about using air conditioning in summer heat

Air conditioners, used for comfortable living and efficient work in hot weather, can cause serious health problems. One of the most dangerous diseases transmitted through air conditioners is Legionnaires' disease, also known as air conditioner disease. Dr. Özkan Akyol of Liv Hospital's Samsun Internal Medicine Clinic stated that air conditioner disease, first observed in 1976 in people attending a Legionnaires' meeting in Pennsylvania, USA, was determined to be caused by the ventilation system in the meeting hall.

"It can even cause coma"

Specifically, Dr. Özkan Akyol explained that Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. "Legionella pneumophila multiplies in the filter systems of air conditioners at the appropriate humidity and temperature and disperses into the ambient air," he said. "While outbreaks often occur in hotels and hospitals, isolated cases have also been reported. Air conditioner disease has not been found to be transmitted from person to person. The most important routes for its entry into the lungs are respirators, ventilation systems, and certain procedures performed on the respiratory tract in hospitals. Therefore, people working in large hotels and workplaces with air conditioners, as well as healthcare personnel, are at risk."

"Smokers are caught more easily"

Specialist Dr. Özkan Akyol stated that the body resistance of the person who contracts the bacteria also plays a role in the development of the disease, saying, "Diabetes, alcohol abusers, chemotherapy patients, and those with chronic kidney and lung diseases are more susceptible to the disease. The most common predisposing factor is smoking. Unlike typical pneumonia, pulmonary symptoms are not the most prominent symptoms in these patients. Widespread muscle and joint pain, headache, fatigue, restlessness, and fever are the most common symptoms. Additionally, a dry cough is observed in a significant number of patients initially. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are also common. In addition, agitation, difficulty concentrating, and even coma may occur."

"It may resemble a flu infection"

Noting that some serological laboratory findings can be helpful in diagnosing the disease, Specialist Dr. Özkan Akyol shared the following information regarding treatment:

The disease is treated with antibiotics administered at the appropriate dose and for the appropriate duration. In these days of heavy air conditioning use, the symptoms mentioned above shouldn't be considered a simple flu infection. It's important to remember that this could be air conditioning-related pneumonia and consult a specialist doctor for further examination. In addition to this illness, we should also remember that mold fungi, which can grow in poorly cleaned air conditioners, can cause allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. Improper use of vehicle air conditioners can also lead to problems such as sinusitis, ear infections, and facial paralysis. Therefore, directing air toward the windshield, rather than directly to the face and chest, when using air conditioners in vehicles will prevent these problems.