And why it is important to clean it in time – change filters and carry out antibacterial treatment.
The SM-Clinic physician Yulia Valeeva explained to Health Mail.ru what a deadly disease can be caught if you forget about the rules for using air conditioning.
Hot days come in summer, when many people have to stay indoors or in a car for a long time, which is a difficult test for many. Thanks to modern technology, there are ways to deal with the heat, and air conditioning comes to the rescue.
News
Midsummer Night’s Dream: Unexpected ways to fall asleep in the heat – from a heating pad to frozen pajamas
Being under a refreshing stream of air is certainly better than suffering from sweltering heat, but prolonged exposure to air conditioning entails unpleasant health consequences, usually in a mild form, such as muscle inflammation, sinusitis, sinusitis, and more serious illness – legionellosis.
What is legionellosis and why is it called that? This is an infectious disease transmitted by airborne dust and airborne droplets. The causative agent (legionella) lives in its natural habitat, for example, in water bodies, in the soil, and does not pose a danger to humans.
However, legionella is also common in artificial environments, such as ventilation shafts, air conditioners, swimming pools or hot tubs, which increases the risk of getting legionellosis, and therefore it is classified as a man-made infection.
This disease acquired its name in 1976, when, after the convention of veterans – the American Legion – there was an outbreak of the disease, resembling the symptoms of pneumonia, but with a more aggressive course, resulting in the death of several dozen patients. In the course of the research, scientists brought out the pathogen and named it after the legionnaires. Hence the name “Legionellosis” – “legionnaires’ disease”.
Legionnaires’ disease is much more severe than ordinary pneumonia, in addition, legionellosis can also manifest itself with concomitant problems with the gastrointestinal tract, heart and kidneys.
The neglected condition often leads to complications such as severe respiratory failure and sepsis. A number of factors aggravate the course of the disease, for example, reduced immunity, smoking, malignant neoplasms, and advanced age. According to statistics, men are more susceptible to the disease than women. There is no vaccine for legionellosis.
With timely or early diagnosis and initiation of treatment, recovery occurs in 7-10 days.
To prevent the disease, it is necessary to clean the air conditioning system in a timely manner – replace filters, antibacterial treatment, and also refrain from prolonged exposure to a working air conditioner.
See also: The most amazing (but working!) Ways to survive the heat
What seven phrases betray an emotional abuser – find out from the video:
2023-08-02 13:28:12
#doctor #told #danger #air #conditioning
