Sneeze while blowing the air conditioner? Not a cold or the flu

In summer, every household starts to blow air-conditioning, and the cool space is very comfortable, but do you start to have symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose or cough after blowing the air-conditioning? Many people call it “air-conditioning disease”, and some people think it’s the flu, but the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that the flu virus is more active in a low temperature and dry environment, and the hot and humid summer is not conducive to their activities, but Many colds have flu-like symptoms. In addition, allergies can also have symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose. This article will take you to know six flu-like summer colds and allergens.

air conditioner
Photo by Jeremy Bezanger on Unsplash

6 common summer colds

The flu always comes quickly and quickly, with symptoms including fever, chills, cough, sneezing, runny nose, headache, sore throat, body aches, or fatigue; however, these symptoms can also occur with other colds that are not the flu. Some diseases do have a higher chance of onset in the summer, and also have flu-like symptoms, as follows:

  1. Common cold: A respiratory infection that is mostly caused by a virus. Although the common cold and the flu share many similar symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, or nasal congestion, the symptoms appear more slowly and are not as severe as the flu.
  2. Gastroenteritis: Mostly refers to acute gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus or norovirus. Like the flu, there will be symptoms of fever, headache and body aches, but the symptoms of gastroenteritis also include diarrhea and other gastrointestinal discomfort symptoms.
  3. Pneumonia: Pneumonia is caused by an infection in the lungs, which can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, chemicals, or environmental agents. Pneumonia has the same symptoms as the flu with chills, high fever, and headache, but pneumonia can also include coughing up yellow phlegm, shortness of breath, or a tingling in the chest.
  4. Bronchitis: refers to the inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs. Like pneumonia, it is mostly caused by viruses, but smoking may cause inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Fever, chills, cough, and fatigue are all similar symptoms of bronchitis and the flu, but inflammation of the bronchi can also be accompanied by phlegm, shortness of breath, and uncomfortable chest tightness.
  5. Food poisoning: Food poisoning is mostly caused by eating food with pathogens, viruses or bacteria. Although food poisoning has the same fever as the flu, food poisoning is more related to the gastrointestinal tract, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. , and symptoms appear as soon as certain foods are eaten.
  6. Lyme disease: Lyme disease refers to the infection by the bite of a tick infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. The initial symptoms are similar to the flu, including headache, fever, general fatigue, chills, etc. Symptoms: Once bitten by a tick, Erythema migrans will appear on average about 7 days, characterized by an erythematous annular papule with a whitish center and local burning, usually painless, and the erythema will gradually spread into a bull’s eye shape, That is, the red skin in the center and around it.
man, sick,
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

7 Reasons Why Air Conditioning Triggers Allergies

Some people sneeze, runny nose, or stuffy nose when they blow the air conditioner. You may think you have a cold, but sometimes these are also symptoms of allergies. When the air conditioner is turned on, in addition to viruses and bacteria that may be disseminated by the air of the air conditioner, allergens are also transmitted with the flow of the air. The types are as follows:

  1. Pollen: Spring and summer are the most serious seasons for pollen allergies. Even indoors, there will still be pollen, which may adhere to clothes or soles, or be blown into the room through open doors and windows, so it is best to close the door to prevent pollen allergies. doors and windows.
  2. Dust mites: Dust mites like warm and humid places, not only at home and indoors, but also on our skin. They even hide in the air conditioner filter, so it is recommended to clean the air conditioner filter at home regularly. In addition, keep it dry and clean. Turning down the temperature can also stop dust mites from multiplying.
  3. Animal hair: If there are pets such as cats and dogs at home, when the air conditioner is turned on in summer, their hair will circulate with the air conditioner. However, bathing children with hair often can reduce the chance of hair loss. People with allergies can try allergy spray , soothes allergy symptoms.
  4. Mold: In addition to dust mites, there are also many molds in the air conditioner. These molds can emit toxins and cause allergies. In severe cases, they can make people sick. So if you notice mold spots in your room or room, don’t hesitate to clean it up.
  5. Bacteria and viruses: Whether it is humans or animals, viruses and bacteria may be on the body. Once brought into the room, some viruses and bacteria will flow and spread in the air with the cold air, such as Influenza, Measles, Chickenpox, Staphylococcus, etc.
  6. Pollution: Air pollution is also one of the culprits of allergies, which may cause coughing, asthma, and even damage to lung function. You can install an air purifier indoors, or put a pot or two of plants that can purify the air, such as spider plants or gold Ge.
  7. Volatile Organic Compounds: Volatile organic compounds emit chemicals that travel through air circulation.

In conclusion, the chance of getting the flu in summer is much lower than in winter, but colds and allergies should not be ignored, especially those with low immunity, newborns or the elderly. Be careful of the complications of colds, especially if there is a persistent high fever case, you must see a doctor.

Recommended reading:

Is it bad to sleep with the air conditioner blowing all night? Pay attention to 3 risks

5 common ways to beat the heat are wrong

Related posts

Leave a Comment