Can air conditioners really cause colds? Doctor reveals truth
Can you catch a cold from an air conditioner? (photo: Magnific)
Summer heat drives people to rely on air conditioners, but many myths still surround them. Can cold air really cause colds and other illnesses?
Ukrainian allergist and pulmonologist Larisa Prokhorova explains.
Can air conditioning cause a cold?
According to the doctor, air conditioners run at full capacity during summer, and many people seem to get sick around this time every year. However, you cannot catch a cold from cold air itself, because colds are caused by viruses.
"What actually happens to your lungs and airways because of a dirty air conditioner is much more serious," the doctor said.
What lives inside an air conditioner?
Air conditioner filters are an ideal environment for mold, bacteria, and dust mites to thrive.
Moisture, warmth, and constant airflow create perfect conditions for microorganisms to multiply. When you turn on an air conditioner that has not been cleaned, all of this becomes airborne and enters your respiratory tract: mold spores, dust mites, bacteria, and dead skin cells.
What happens to your lungs?
Mold is one of the most aggressive allergens for the respiratory system. It can trigger chronic inflammation of the bronchi, worsen asthma, and cause allergic bronchitis.
Even in people without allergies, regular inhalation of mold spores can eventually lead to sensitivity. In other words, you may not have had allergies before, but after spending a summer around a dirty air conditioner, you might develop them.
Dust mites and mold are two of the most common indoor allergens.
"If every summer you experience a runny nose, coughing, or itchy eyes indoors, but feel better outside, there is a good chance your air conditioner is the source of allergens," the doctor explained.
It is especially dangerous to live or work in a building where nobody remembers the last time the air conditioner was cleaned.
Legionella pneumophila is a bacterium that can grow in moist cooling systems. It may cause Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia. For people with weakened immune systems, older adults, and pregnant women, this is a real risk.
Symptoms to watch for
You should pay attention to a cough that appears or worsens at home or in the office. Headaches and fatigue after spending long periods in an air-conditioned room are also not normal.
Asthma or allergy symptoms may worsen during summer without any obvious reason. According to the doctor, all of these issues may be linked to a poorly maintained air conditioner.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
