AC Sickness: How Air Conditioning Can Affect Your Health

A strange pattern that many people have observed. They feel alright outside, but as soon as they enter an air-conditioned environment, they begin to feel fatigue, a headache, dryness or even a runny nose. Frequently, these symptoms improve when they go outside, raising the question of whether the AC unit could be causing these conditions.

What Is AC Sickness?

'Air conditioner’, or 'AC sickness', is an informal term that refers to a wide range of adverse health effects that many people may experience after prolonged exposure to air-conditioned environments. It is not a single disease or condition but a group of symptoms like irritated eyes, fatigue, dry cough or headache.

These symptoms fall under the term defined as 'sick building syndrome' (SBS). SBS can be defined as a situation where a person may experience acute health problems or discomfort caused by spending time in a building without any specific identifiable illness. 

Is AC Sickness A Medically Recognised Condition?

AC sickness in itself is not a formally recognised medical diagnosis in any major classification system. However, doctors typically categorise any related symptoms under various conditions, like:

1. Sick building syndrome
2. Irritant-induced rhinitis or pharyngitis 
3. Dry eye syndrome
4. Exacerbation of asthma or other respiratory conditions 
5. Allergic or non-allergic rhinitis

How Common Is AC Sickness, And Who Is The Most Vulnerable?

AC sickness symptoms are more prominent in air-conditioned office buildings that are not well ventilated. Office workers in these environments report a higher prevalence of SBS symptoms than do office workers in non-AC environments.

The following groups are most at risk of falling ill due to AC sickness:

1. kids whose respiratory and immune systems are still developing
2. Older adults with diminished physiological reserves and comorbidities
3. Asthma patients
4. People with sensitive skin or skin conditions
5. People who work in an office and are exposed to air conditioning for long continuous periods of time. 

Why Is There Such a Heavy Dependence on ACS?

Due to the rise in global temperatures, the reliance on air conditioning has increased significantly in recent years. While ACs provide crucial thermal comfort in our homes, offices, schools, public transports and even shopping spaces, it also means that we are spending more and more time in airtight spaces with limited ventilation.

This creates a dependency loop where the more time we spend in AC rooms, the more we are exposed to dry air, recirculated pollutants and potential microbial growth. In hot-climate countries like India, AC sickness-type symptoms are being reported more and more, especially during summer months.

How Does An AC Work?

A typical air conditioning system draws indoor air through return vents and passes it over a cold evaporator coil and then finally blows it out. This system creates a controlled temperature environment but also recirculates air and all the contaminants it carries. 

Filters trap dust, pollen and some microbes, but their effectiveness depends on the type, quality and how often we clean and replace them. Over time filters can become clogged and less effective, which allows contaminants to be blown back indoors, causing AC sickness symptoms.

Poorly maintained AC units are a major health risk. Unchanged filters, coils not being cleaned and drains not being properly flushed can lead to the accumulation of moisture and give room for bacteria to grow. These microorganisms then cause problems

What Are Some Common Causes Of AC Sickness?

Dry air and low humidity produced by air conditioning can completely remove moisture from air and dry out our eyes, causing irritation. This dryness is one of the key reasons why people experience dry throats, hoarse throats and itchy skin in AC environments.

The moist environment of the AC gives room for mould, bacteria and germs to grow. When the system runs, these are flushed out with the air, causing coughing, sinus irritations and the risk of respiratory infections. In poorly ventilated spaces, this effect is amplified. 

When we come back from outside, especially in summer months, we immediately turn on the AC for cooling. This rapid change in temperature can lead to headaches, muscle stiffness and circulatory problems.

What Are The Early Warning Signs Of AC Sickness?

Here are some early warning signs that you can look out for when considering whether you have AC sickness or not:

1. Coughing and wheezing: If you are coughing and wheezing and have significant shortness of breath, then you could be suffering from AC sickness. The main giveaway is that these symptoms worsen when you are in AC environments and improve upon leaving the room.
2. Runny nose, sinus irritation and nasal congestion: These are some of the most common giveaways of the condition. You can often mistake these symptoms for a cold, so be sure to consult your doctor before you come to any conclusions.
3. Experiencing dryness and hoarseness in your throat: If you experience these symptoms around an AC unit, you might have AC sickness. This might be especially common for people who have to speak for long periods in AC rooms. 
4. Lethargy and fatigue: Prolonged exposure to AC environments can make you lethargic and can cause fatigue as well as reduced concentration. The poor air quality and low oxygen levels contribute to these symptoms.
5. Irritation of skin and eyes: Air conditioners remove moisture from the air, causing them to pull moisture from your skin and eyes. This leads to dry, flaky and itchy skin along with red and painfully dry eyes. 
6. Joint and muscle stiffness: Repeated exposure to cold air can cause your muscles to contract and reduce blood flow, leading to stiffness and discomfort in joints and mucles. This is especially common if you sit for prolonged periods

Why AC Sickness Symptoms Are Often Misattributed to Other Illnesses

Symptoms like coughing, congestion, headaches and fatigue overlap with common colds, flu and allergies, which leads to people often misattributing them to viral infections. If the pattern of symptoms worsening in AC spaces  then it is a clue that you might need to consult your doctor about AC sickness. 

When to See a Doctor About Symptoms You Think Are AC Related

You should consult your doctor if:

• Symptoms persist despite leaving AC environments
• You develop fever, significant shortness of breath or chest pain
• You have underlying heart or lung disease that worsen
• Over-the-counter remedies and environmental changes don’t help.

How can you prevent AC sickness?

Test and Monitor Indoor Air Quality in AC public Environments

Regular checks of the quality of air indoors can help you identify the issue early and solve it. If you are in an office space, ensure that your employer gets the units checked regularly. In other public spaces like public transportation and shopping spaces, wear a mask to reduce the risk of catching any bacteria or microbes. 

Preventing AC Sickness at Home

At home you must ensure that you clean your unit frequently. You need to make sure that the filter is cleaned or replaced every 1-3 months and the unit is serviced by a professional at least once a year. You should also check your evaporator coils and drains regularly to prevent mould.

Indoor Plants 

Certain houseplants, like spider plants and snake plants, improve the humidity content in the air indoors and can help in ventilation and filtration. This can improve the quality of air indoors and also help filter out any bacteria or microbes that are present in the air.

Office workers

Office workers can ensure that they hydrate themselves and use moisturisers to prevent dryness of throat and skin. They should also take regular breaks from AC spaces and dress in layers to avoid overexposure. 

Over-the-counter medication

To prevent your allergies from acting up, you can take your regular allergy medications and pain relievers for headaches. However, you should use these sparingly and consult a pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure. 

Conclusion

AC sickness is not one condition but a collection of symptoms such as dry cough, irritated eyes, fatigue, nasal congestion, headaches or joint discomfort that arise from prolonged exposure to an AC environment. While AC systems are essential for thermal comfort, it is very important that we take all preventative measures so as to not get AC sickness symptoms. 

However, even with preventative measures, unexpected health issues can still arise from prolonged exposure, especially if you are travelling or live abroad. This is why having the right health insurance coverage is crucial. Niva Bupa NRI health insurance is tailored to offer comprehensive protection tailored for NRIs and their families, ensuring acces to quality healthcare for any AC-related health problems

Frequently Asked Questions

Can air conditioning make you sick even if the unit is clean?

Yes, even clean units can cause certain health problems, as ACs lower the humidity of a room and can cause dryness-related symptoms. Temperature differences and recirculated air can also contribute to discomfort and mild symptoms. 

Is sleeping with AC on bad for your health?

Sleeping with your AC on is generally safe if the temperature is moderate and humidity is not too low. Extremely cold settings or dry air can cause dry throat, nasal irritation and discomfort. 

Can AC sickness lead to any long-term complications?

AC sickness symptoms are reversible and don't usually last long enough to cause any damage. However, chronic exposure to poor air quality and poorly maintained units can worsen pre-existing conditions like asthma, chronic bronchitis or skin conditions. 

How do I know if my AC unit is making me sick? 

Key signs include symptoms that worsen in air-conditioned spaces and improve after leaving, as well as multiple people in the same area experiencing similar issues. Visible mould, musty odours, or excessive dust from vents can also indicate a problem. In some cases, new or worsening respiratory, eye, or skin irritation may develop after starting AC use.