Recently, South Korea has seen a surge in the detection of the Omicron subvariant KP.3, leading to a rise in COVID-19 cases. At the same time, the prolonged heatwave has increased the use of air conditioning, resulting in more cases of air conditioning sickness. This condition closely resembles the early symptoms of COVID-19, making it challenging to distinguish between the two.
Professor Choi Jun Yong from Severance Hospital’s Infectious Disease Department highlighted the issue, stating, “The symptoms of air conditioning sickness closely resemble the early symptoms of COVID-19.” He stressed the importance of differentiating between the two conditions to ensure appropriate responses.
Both air conditioning sickness and early COVID-19 share similar symptoms, such as respiratory issues (runny nose, sneezing), digestive discomfort, fatigue, and lethargy.
Extended exposure to air conditioning can cause the body to shiver or feel cold as it tries to generate warmth, which might lead to headaches.
If you experience cold-like symptoms after spending a long time in an air-conditioned environment, it’s important to warm up and get plenty of rest. However, you should seek medical attention if symptoms such as muscle pain, coughing, or a fever above 37.5°C (99.5°F) persist. This will help rule out not only COVID-19 but also Legionella infections, which can be associated with air conditioning sickness.
COVID-19 often presents with high fever, severe muscle pain, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. If your symptoms don’t improve or you experience unique symptoms like a loss of smell or taste, getting tested for COVID-19 is recommended.
Preventing air conditioning sickness involves several key practices. Clean your air conditioning filters at least every two weeks and ensure they are thoroughly dried in sunlight after washing. Additionally, ventilate your room for at least five minutes every two hours and maintain indoor temperatures between 24°C to 26°C (77°F to 78.8°F) while using air conditioning.
To guard against COVID-19, follow personal hygiene practices like regular handwashing. Those at high risk, including the elderly and individuals with underlying health conditions, should wear masks in crowded areas. Since the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine wanes after six months, high-risk groups should receive an annual booster shot.
Professor Choi stressed, “Above all, maintaining a balanced diet and consistent exercise is crucial for protecting against air conditioning sickness, COVID-19, and other health issues.”
