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sick building syndrome

by gareth
16 replies
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I didn't get sick for 2-3 years

A month ago I had the flu virus from hell & now I have a head cold damn it.

At tech I am doing a web development course - I am getting sick from the air conditioning.

I used to get sick at university too. I cant work in an office job.

I always get the flu every year if i am around aircon.
  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Air conditioners are known for having various pathogens, etc... In the US, there was a mysterious illness that occured and it took like forever to track it down. It was named after the group that were in the BUILDING when they contracted it!

    Legionnaires' disease: Causes - MayoClinic.com

    The bacterium Legionella pneumophila is responsible for most cases of Legionnaires' disease. Outdoors, Legionella bacteria survive in soil and water, but rarely cause infections. Indoors, though, Legionella bacteria can multiply in all kinds of water systems — hot tubs, air conditioners and mist sprayers in grocery store produce departments.

    Although it's possible to contract Legionnaires' disease from home plumbing systems, most outbreaks have occurred in large buildings, perhaps because complex systems allow the bacteria to grow and spread more easily.
    So you are NOT alone!

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      It's perfectly true that air conditioning cooling systems can circulate some infections (though they're real rarities), but on the other hand "being hot" both decreases people's infection-resistance and increases the pathogenicity of various viruses and bacteria with which they're likely to come into contact. Overall, lack of air conditioning is a far, far more common cause of serious illnesses than air conditioning is.
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      • Profile picture of the author ThomM
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        It's perfectly true that air conditioning cooling systems can circulate some infections (though they're real rarities), but on the other hand "being hot" both decreases people's infection-resistance and increases the pathogenicity of various viruses and bacteria with which they're likely to come into contact. Overall, lack of air conditioning is a far, far more common cause of serious illnesses than air conditioning is.
        Really? I've never had air conditioning in my home or car and I normally work outdoors in all weather. I get sick so rarely it isn't worth talking about.
        I mentioned this in a different thread, but at horseshoes on Monday evenings, it's always the people who work and live in A/C who are sick and the ones without it who are not.
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        • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
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          Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

          I mentioned this in a different thread, but at horseshoes on Monday evenings, it's always the people who work and live in A/C who are sick and the ones without it who are not.
          Interesting ...

          I think I can guess why that might be: because nothing helps viruses to flourish and be pathogenic as much as sudden changes of temperature ... and the people who "feel the hottest" (including perhaps especially anyone who's overweight?) do tend to be those who have their air-con on the coolest settings, thus exacerbating the differences even more? Theory only, but perhaps it makes sense?

          And of course I completely agree with Sal's other comments ...
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          • Profile picture of the author ThomM
            Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

            Interesting ...

            I think I can guess why that might be: because nothing helps viruses to flourish and be pathogenic as much as sudden changes of temperature ... and the people who "feel the hottest" (including perhaps especially anyone who's overweight?) do tend to be those who have their air-con on the coolest settings, thus exacerbating the differences even more? Theory only, but perhaps it makes sense?

            And of course I completely agree with Sal's other comments ...
            Makes a lot of sense to me. I don't know about the overweight part because I don't have any friends that are overweight, except for one who does have A/C in his house. He works outdoors though and doesn't go crazy with the A/C in his house.
            I know when I go to the grocery store when I leave the heat will just about drop me to the ground where before going into the store it doesn't bother me.
            What's kinda interesting is my father worked in an ice plant for 47 years and rarely had problems with summer colds or flu. He also didn't have any problems with the heat of summer. But he also never complained about things he couldn't control, so who knows
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            • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
              Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

              <snip> But he also never complained about things he couldn't control, so who knows
              My father was like that. He never whined about anything, even when he was dying. Maintained his sense of humor to the end. One tough dude.
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      • Profile picture of the author gareth
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        It's perfectly true that air conditioning cooling systems can circulate some infections (though they're real rarities), but on the other hand "being hot" both decreases people's infection-resistance and increases the pathogenicity of various viruses and bacteria with which they're likely to come into contact. Overall, lack of air conditioning is a far, far more common cause of serious illnesses than air conditioning is.
        Well you're "hot" aren't ya ?

        Um yeah its winter down here too - we only really use aircon in winter in NZ.

        Definitely it makes me sick. I'm gunna try probiotics to counter the bad bacteria - been reading up on it - apparently you need billions of the good bugs but many supplements only have millions.

        Also probiotics create neurotransmitters in your guts which act same as smart drugs. Better coz they are the actual neuro transmitters produced naturally.

        Anyway apart from probiotics - beta glucan also super boosts immunity but both must be higher dose than most supplement companies sell.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    I don't need to get sick from the germs in AC. Most places I've worked have had that AC turned on so damned high that it's like working in a refrigerator. Then you get out of work and go out in the heat and it's enough to bring anyone down after awhile. I worked at one company that I took a space heater in the summer so my fingers wouldn't go numb while I typed they kept it so cold.

    I wonder if anyone realizes that they would lose a little wieght if they kept it warm enough to make their body burn some calories to stay cool. Seems as the population keeps getting fatter those air conditioners just keep getting cranked higher.

    As far as work places - SBS, and toxic cleaning chemicals are a nightmare to deal with. It's really great to see more and more companies going green. At least that knocks the toxic cleaners out of the buildings. In America the electric is also very polluted so you get in a building with a million lights and computers, etc and that doesn't help anything.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sunfyre7896
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      I wonder if anyone realizes that they would lose a little wieght if they kept it warm enough to make their body burn some calories to stay cool. Seems as the population keeps getting fatter those air conditioners just keep getting cranked higher.
      Actually you burn more calories in the winter when your body is working harder to maintain your warmth. Especially if you're outside a lot. Shivering burns the most calories out of trying to stay warm.

      Most of the weight you lose in the summer is water weight due to sweating and perspiration. Also, because people are more active outside during the warm months. Drinking iced cold water also helps to lose weight as your body has to work harder to warm the water that you just drank up to a homeostatic temperature to match your internal body temperature.

      But as to helping your immune system, I've read a lot on how taking garlic, whether in supplement or through diet, as well as green tea and elderberry can help prevent all sorts of sicknesses from bacterial to viral. They also lessen the time that you are sick.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Actually you burn more calories in the winter when your body is working harder to maintain your warmth. Especially if you're outside a lot. Shivering burns the most calories out of trying to stay warm.

    Most of the weight you lose in the summer is water weight due to sweating and perspiration. Also, because people are more active outside during the warm months. Drinking iced cold water also helps to lose weight as your body has to work harder to warm the water that you just drank up to a homeostatic temperature to match your internal body temperature.

    But as to helping your immune system, I've read a lot on how taking garlic, whether in supplement or through diet, as well as green tea and elderberry can help prevent all sorts of sicknesses from bacterial to viral. They also lessen the time that you are sick.
    It's not only water weight you burn in the summer. It takes calories to cool your body. If you took away all the artificial climate mechanisms you would see human bodies do the same as animals - put on weight in the winter and lose it in the summer. The body retains fat in cold as a defense mechanism. We've screwed our systems out of natural functioning via climate control.

    The BEST element for fighting virus is Vitamin D3 and most people have a severe deficiency in the US. The BS over sunscreen is making people extremely sick. Your body was MEANT to have sunlight. VD actually will work to heal damage done from UV as long as you aren't burning. If your skin is getting leathery from sunlight it's a sign of lack of omega 3 fats.

    It's getting better now - some sunscreen chemicals that were causing the very diseases they were meant to prevent are being banned. Some are being made with no toxic chemicals now. It's just a problem that people slather themselves with it and NEVER get the required doses of Vit D3 to maintain their health.

    Doctors started cutting through the Corporate generated BS research and some did their own research in reaction to the illnesses they were seeing getting more prevalent and found out how terribly illl Vit D3 deficiency was making us. You need tens of thousands of units several times a week to prevent illness - gov recommendations and supplement levels are at around 400 and 500 mgs. It's a joke.

    Some people burn easy but they need to lay off chemical sunscreens and use natural ones -- and they need to get an adequate amount of sun before they start bathing in the stuff. There are a lot of ways to boost an immune system. If you are using garlic, by the way - use real garlic, not pills. They take some of the important elements out of the pills to remove the odor, so you are paying for nothing. Real raw garlic - a clove at a time, not just a little for flavoring food.

    Vitamin C in high doses will also kill virus. If I feel like I'm coming down with something I take 1000 mg every 2 hours 3 or 4 times, then back it off to 3 times a day until whatever is gone - which is usually overnight. I'm never sick during sun season. Period - not with that kind of thing.

    It's funny - I see people taking things to keep their immune systems strong - then avoiding sunlight and eating processed foods that contain enough crap to level the immune system of an elephant. Good thinking,.
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    Sal
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    It is NOT the cold in A/C that causes illness. The idea that you can get SICK by going out in the cold is LUDICROUS! I have gone out when it was VERY cold, WITHOUT a jacket, and NOT got a cold even the entire year, let alone during that period. And I won't even tell you what kind of temperatures I am talking about. It may not be cold for alaska in the deepest winter, but it was COLD! ALSO, cold air tends to be drier, which is BAD for most pathogens, and EVERYTHING loves warmth! That would be VERY obvious to us if we didn't already have mechanisms regulating it. But reptiles are attracked to warmth, insects have been known to be attracted to warmth, etc... HECK, if WE get too cold, we prefer the warmth.

    NOPE! What causes the "colds" in A/C systems is that the cold causes water to condense, which is why the air gets dry, so things get wet. That can lead to bacteria, mold, and possibly fungus, which can then be spread through the A/C. I guess smaller homes are just more likely to take care of it. ALSO, there are more vents in commercial systems, etc...

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      Steve I know in the winter it's being indoors in buildings with no fresh air. That causes more colds and flus then anything else at that time of year.
      In my slightly younger days, I would drive my wife nuts cause I would go out in the winter with just a flannel shirt on. Never got sick.
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      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

        Steve I know in the winter it's being indoors in buildings with no fresh air. That causes more colds and flus then anything else at that time of year.
        In my slightly younger days, I would drive my wife nuts cause I would go out in the winter with just a flannel shirt on. Never got sick.
        Hey, JOIN THE CLUB! The only tme I regretted it was when I went to another state, and forgot my jacket. I got off the plane, had to walk almost two blocks outside, and it was lets just say very cold. OK. It got about 5 degrees colder. That WAS very noticable, biting, and it got windy. I had to keep warming my hands to get in the car safely, and even when I was in the car it was too cold. I checked, and, with windchill, it was FAR colder. Luckily, it really only affected my hands and my ears, and my ears were covered, and I swapped my hands for warmth. I managed to get home with not even the slightest case of frostbite. It WAS an unusual circumstance.

        Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
    Originally Posted by gareth View Post

    I didn't get sick for 2-3 years

    A month ago I had the flu virus from hell & now I have a head cold damn it.

    At tech I am doing a web development course - I am getting sick from the air conditioning.

    I used to get sick at university too. I cant work in an office job.

    I always get the flu every year if i am around aircon.
    buy black singlet, rugby shorts and gumboots and wear them

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  • Profile picture of the author valerieSONORA
    I LOVE a/c Couldn't survive without it.
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    • Profile picture of the author divingfenix
      I'm thinking there is more than one factor in you getting the flu in these environments. One could be, being in a closed environment with lack of fresh air, with no new exchange of air. Air conditioning cooling systems can circulate some infections, but I don't think the focus should be there.

      I think your emotional state might be the main reason for your immune system becoming compromised and allowing these pathogens to enter your body. You mention that you're taking a class now and another bout with the flu also occurred to you while you were in university. Perhaps your stress levels reach a level that allow susceptibility and hence, you become sick. I would recommend keeping vitamin C by your side. It works more as a preventative, but you are better off consuming it from food. Aside from a balanced diet, be conscious of how you are reacting to your stress physiologically.
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