Airborne Illnesses Viruses can become trapped in the system and released later, leading to possible illnesses. Your HVAC system can spread bacteria and viruses around your house, increasing the chances of everyone getting sick.
If you work in an air-conditioned building with poor ventilation, it can raise your risk of “sick building syndrome.” Symptoms include headaches, dry cough, dizziness and nausea, trouble concentrating, fatigue, and sensitivity to odors.
They can make your family sick:
Your family may suffer upper respiratory infections if they experience coughing, headaches, sneezing, nasal congestion, sore throats, runny noses, and low fevers due to dirty air-conditioning filters.
Symptoms of SBS include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and difficulty concentrating. Eye and Skin Irritation: Particles such as dust, mold spores, and other allergens from a dirty air conditioner can also cause irritation to the eyes and skin.
Poorly maintained air-conditioning systems can cause respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold, flu, tonsillitis, coughs, and everything in between. Dirty filters are the most common culprits. Filters in an air-con system are there to remove bacteria and other contaminants.
Chronic freon poisoning consists of long-term exposure and typically affects HVAC technicians. A leaky air conditioner or refrigerator can cause acute freon poisoning. According to WebMD, the symptoms of acute freon poisoning include: Sore throat and swelling in sinuses.
You may experience sneezing, coughing, or a sore throat from air conditioning. These symptoms usually occur due to hair or dust in the air, not viruses or bacteria. Colds and cases of flu can cause the above symptoms. You may develop a fever, runny nose, or headache if you have a cold.
If you neglect to clean your air con filters every three months, your system's efficiency can drop. It has to run longer and work harder to circulate air and maintain the desired temperature, which can lead to wear and tear on its components much faster than if it were running under optimal conditions.
It is advisable to use a humidifier alongside your home conditioner if you experience any air conditioning sickness symptoms. Also, drink a lot of water during the day to reduce this effect.
In fact, you should go a step further and regularly service your air conditioning unit if you're prone to sinus problems. Mold, dust, and pollen can get caught in the coils and be recycled back into the air you breathe, irritating your already compromised sinuses.
Mould in your air conditioner can lead to sickness in a variety of ways, from severe respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath and wheezing to nausea, vomiting, or dizziness.
In more severe cases, avoidance may not be enough. Then, treatment may include corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medication to reduce inflammation and prevent your immune system from reacting to the allergens you inhale.
Drink more water to keep yourself hydrated and your throat and nasal passages moist. If you are experiencing exhaustion, headaches, and sore muscles and joints, turn that air conditioning down! Your air conditioner should be set at a comfortable, room temperature.
Dry eyes, lethargy, dehydration, dry or itchy skin, headaches, respiratory issues, allergies and asthma, noise pollution, infectious diseases, and indoor pollutants are among the common health concerns associated with prolonged exposure to air conditioning.
Cooler temperatures at night can cause our immune system to slow down. This can make you more susceptible to conditions like common cold or a dry cough. Or else, you might wake up with a sore throat. If the AC unit is not clean, it will circulate germs and other airborne contaminants like dust mites, pet dander, etc.
A dirty AC system can lead to many breathing problems. If you have a runny or stuffy nose that develops when you're inside but goes away when you leave, this is a clear indication that your air conditioner's filter is dirty.
[12] The symptoms usually disappear hours or in some cases days after removal from that environment.
Symptoms of a conditioner allergy typically involve skin reactions in areas where the conditioner has been applied. These reactions can occur immediately after use or develop over time with repeated use. Common symptoms include redness, itching, swelling, and rash.
Get Your AC Coils Cleaned
Get your coils cleaned annually. If you live in an area where your AC unit is exposed to excessive amounts of dirt, dust, debris, or moisture, it is best to regularly clean your coils every three months or so. Every AC unit and environment is different.
A dirty air conditioner can significantly impact your respiratory health. When an air conditioner is not properly cleaned, dust, pollen and other allergens can accumulate in the filters and ducts. As the AC runs, these particles are circulated throughout your home, leading to respiratory issues such as: Coughing.
But if you don't, it could do water damage and allow mold to grow all around your AC unit. This mold can cause health complications and damage to flooring, walls, etc.
“Poorly maintained or improperly used air conditioning systems have been associated with reports of mucous membrane irritation, breathing difficulties, irritated skin, dry cough, dizziness, nausea, trouble concentrating, fatigue and odor sensitivity,” the EPA explains.
Indoor window air conditioners are famous for more than just cooling an area. Not many people are aware that the vents inside the units are a breeding ground for black mold and mildew.
No, you likely aren't allergic to the air conditioner itself. However, your AC unit can stir up allergens already present in your home, triggering allergy symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes.