Acute Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis And Your Air Conditioner: What's The Link?
Posted on: 23 November 2020
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A recent diagnosis of acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis probably answers a lot of questions. You might have wondered why you regularly experienced unexplainable coughing and breathing difficulties, along with a range of other unpleasant symptoms. It's simply that your lungs are incredibly sensitive to any airborne contaminants. Your doctor will be able to treat the condition, but the most effective way to fight it is to avoid these airborne contaminants as much as possible. This can be difficult if you have air conditioning at home.
Not a Direct Cause
Your air conditioner isn't a direct cause of your acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis, but without precise hygiene measures in place, it could be making the problem worse. With normal operation, it's almost unavoidable that your air conditioner is going to introduce contaminants into your home. Any pollen, dust mites, or fungi located around the unit's intake vents or within the air conditioner unit itself will be present in the chilled air being fed into the room. But does this mean that someone with acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis can't enjoy the benefits of an air conditioner?
Repair and Sanitizing
Air conditioner repair can be necessary for you to be able to use the unit without it aggravating your acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This means that regular maintenance is necessary to ensure that the unit is clean and working at the highest possible standard. The unit's coils and internal ducts should be inspected and sanitized on a regular basis, to remove any contaminants that might then be fed through the machine and into your home. Particular attention should be paid to the air conditioner's air filters.
The Air Filters
These air filters can usually be removed and washed (or replaced), but if your acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis is particularly severe, your unit's air filters might need an upgrade. Consider installing HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters. In the US, filters can only be classified as HEPA if they remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles. This is the type of filtration used in sterile environments, but it's easy enough to install this level of control on a residential air conditioner. Any company that provides ac maintenance can provide this type of filter upgrade.
A diagnosis of acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis doesn't mean that you can't use your air conditioner, but certain hygiene practices should definitely be implemented so that you can use it safely, in a way that won't aggravate your condition.