With the increase in temperatures and the summer season, the use of air conditioning by those on vacation is increasing, while bronchitis and pneumonia cases are also rapidly increasing. Altınbaş University Faculty of Medicine Chest Diseases Department Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Şevket Özkaya emphasized that diseases related to air conditioning exposure are increasing, especially in hotels and holiday villages, and that children are the most affected. Prof. Dr. Özkaya stated that “Legionnaires’ disease”, which occurs as a result of the reproduction of “Legionella” bacteria in air conditioners, causes more pneumonia in children compared to COVID-19, and that this situation is surprising and worrying. Prof. Dr. Özkaya stated that citizens should be careful when using air conditioning and that especially people with chronic diseases should be more sensitive about this issue.
“THERE IS A SERIOUS NUMBER OF SHOOTING ON AN UNSEEN BEFORE DEGREE”
Chest Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Şevket Özkaya stated that these diseases are detected in almost one out of every two people who say “I was hit by the air conditioner”, especially among those staying in hotels and holiday villages. Prof. Dr. Özkaya emphasized that the children are the most affected by this situation and said, “We have started to see serious numbers of childhood bronchitis and pneumonia cases at a level never seen before. In fact, during the COVID-19 outbreak, we were not seeing this many pneumonia cases due to the COVID-19 virus in the children’s age group. In recent days; we have seen that the ‘Legionella’ bacteria causes much more pneumonia in the children’s age group compared to COVID-19.”
“IT CAN BE FATAL IN THOSE WITH CHRONIC DISEASES”
Prof. Dr. Özkaya stated that the disease occurred as a result of the reproduction of the bacteria called Legionella pneumophila in air conditioners, and reminded that this disease can be fatal for those with chronic diseases and that elderly and chronically ill citizens should be careful.
“BE CAREFUL WITH SAUNA, BATH OR SPA POOL”
Prof. Dr. Özkaya said that the bacteria can easily multiply in warm waters, and explained, “It usually spreads through a building’s contaminated water distribution system. The disease is transmitted to people by inhaling water droplets suspended in the air. The bacteria is so small that it can settle in small water droplets like water vapor and mix into the air. The bacteria reaches the lungs by inhaling steam droplets from hot waters such as saunas, Turkish baths or spa pools where contaminated water is found. There is no spread from person to person.”
Stating that air conditioners should be cleaned well, Prof. Dr. Özkaya said that since there are fewer complaints in air conditioner pneumonia, it may not be understood much because it progresses with mild cold symptoms such as joint pain, fever, weakness, diarrhea like the flu. Stating that it can also have vital consequences for those with chronic diseases, Özkaya said, “With the end of the pandemic, sudden temperature changes, transitions from cold to hot, and exposure to air conditioners can be confused with the flu and may not be considered important. Since children cannot explain what they feel, they face serious cases of pneumonia when they apply to the doctor with complaints of prolonged cough and fever.”
AIR CONDITIONERS SHOULD NOT DROP BELOW 22 DEGREES
Prof. Dr. Özkaya finally stated that citizens who are going on vacation or will go on vacation, especially their children, should pay attention to the cleanliness and exposure of the air conditioners they turn on while traveling by car, and said, “They should be careful especially in closed areas, I recommend that they do not lower the air conditioner settings below 22 degrees and do not expose themselves to too much temperature change.”
WHAT IS LEGIONNAIRE’S DISEASE?
Legionnaires’ disease is named after a Legionella outbreak that occurred in Philadelphia, United States in 1976. This outbreak caused a large number of people to become ill and die at a meeting of a military organization called the American Legionnaires. The term “Legionnaires’ disease” came into use after the disease broke out in this organization. Legionella is usually found in freshwater environments, including lakes, rivers, and streams. Legionella can also live in soil, but most people do not catch the bacteria from soil. While it is possible to catch Legionnaires’ disease through home plumbing systems, most outbreaks occur in large buildings that are part of a congregate community, such as hotels, because complex distribution systems allow the bacteria to multiply and spread more easily. (İHA)
