Room ACs and Respiratory Problems

Thanks, I found this on the web.....not quite like Dettol........lmao!
When Women Used Lysol as Birth Control | Mother Jones

 

We have been home for almost three weeks and still sick. Doctor said it was a virus. Almost makes one wonder if a vacation of 7 nights is worth 21 days of sick.....oh, wait, we went to TTR....yes it was worth it.

 

I read a report a while ago that said pee in pools can cause respiratory problems. No idea if it was accurate though. Had respiratory issues when our room was in the 5000 block, but not the other two trips in the 3000 block.

 

From CDC web


Respiratory Infections

Regina C. LaRocque, Edward T. Ryan


OVERVIEW

Respiratory infection is a leading cause of seeking medical care in returning travelers and has been reported to occur in up to 20% of all travelers, which is almost as common as travelers’ diarrhea. Upper respiratory infection is more common than lower respiratory infection. In general, the types of respiratory infections that affect travelers are similar to those in nontravelers, and exotic causes are rare.


INFECTIOUS AGENT

Viral pathogens are the most common cause of respiratory infection in travelers; causative agents include rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, human metapneumovirus, adenovirus, and coronavirus. Bacterial pathogens are less common and include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae. Coxiella burnetii and Legionella pneumophila can also cause outbreaks of respiratory illness. Respiratory infection due to viral pathogens may lead to bacterial sinusitis, bronchitis, or pneumonia.


RISK FOR TRAVELERS

Reported outbreaks are usually associated with common exposure in hotels and cruise ships or among tour groups. A few pathogens have been associated with outbreaks in travelers, including influenza virus, L. pneumophila, and Histoplasma capsulatum. The peak influenza season in the temperate Northern Hemisphere is December through February. In the temperate Southern Hemisphere, the peak influenza season is June through August. Travelers to tropical zones are at risk all year. Exposure to an infected person from another hemisphere, such as on a cruise ship or package tour, can lead to an outbreak of influenza at any time or place.
Air-pressure changes during ascent and descent of aircraft can facilitate the development of sinusitis and otitis media. Intermingling of large numbers of people in airports, travel hubs, transport vehicles, cruise ships, and hotels can also facilitate transmission of respiratory pathogens. Direct airborne transmission aboard aircraft is unusual because of frequent air recirculation and filtration, although influenza, tuberculosis, and other diseases have resulted from transmission in modern aircraft. Transmission of infection may occur between passengers who are seated near one another, usually through direct contact or droplets.
The air quality at many travel destinations may not be optimal, and exposure to sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, and particulate matter is associated with a number of health risks, including respiratory tract inflammation, exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, impaired lung function, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Certain travelers have a higher risk for respiratory tract infection, including children, the elderly, and people with comorbid pulmonary conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The risk for tuberculosis among travelers is low (see Chapter 3, Tuberculosis).


DIAGNOSIS

Identifying a specific etiologic agent, especially in the absence of pneumonia or serious disease, is not always clinically necessary. If indicated, the following methods of diagnosis can be used:

• Molecular methods are available to detect a number of respiratory viruses, including influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus, and for certain nonviral pathogens.
• Rapid tests are also available to detect some pathogens such as respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, L. pneumophila, and group A Streptococcus.
• Microbiologic culturing of sputum and blood, although insensitive, can help identify a causative respiratory pathogen.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

Most respiratory tract infections, especially those of the upper respiratory tract, are mild and not incapacitating. Upper respiratory tract infections often cause rhinorrhea or pharyngitis. Lower respiratory tract infections, particularly pneumonia, can be more severe. Lower respiratory tract infections are more likely to cause fever, dyspnea, or chest pain than upper respiratory tract infections. Cough is often present in either upper or lower tract infections. People with influenza commonly have acute onset of fever, myalgia, headache, and cough. Pulmonary embolism should be considered in the differential diagnosis of travelers who present with dyspnea, cough, or pleurisy and fever, especially those who have recently been on long car or plane rides.


TREATMENT

Affected travelers are usually managed similarly to nontravelers, although travelers with progressive or severe illness should be evaluated for illnesses specific to their travel destinations and exposure history. Most respiratory infections are due to viruses, are mild, and do not require specific treatment or antibiotics. Self-treatment with antibiotics during travel can be considered for higher-risk travelers with symptoms of lower respiratory tract infection. A respiratory-spectrum fluoroquinolone such as levofloxacin or a macrolide such as azithromycin may be prescribed to the traveler for this purpose before travel. (See also the Self-Treatable Conditions section earlier in this chapter.)
The rate of influenza among travelers is not known. The difficulty in self-diagnosing influenza makes it problematic to decide whether to prescribe travelers a neuraminidase inhibitor for self-treatment. This practice should probably be limited to travelers with a specific underlying condition that may predispose them to severe influenza.
Specific situations that may require medical intervention include the following:

• Pharyngitis without rhinorrhea, cough, or other symptoms that may indicate infection with group A Streptococcus.
• Sudden onset of cough, chest pain, and fever that may indicate pneumonia (or pulmonary embolism), resulting in a situation where the traveler may be sick enough to seek medical care right away.
• Travelers with underlying medical conditions, such as asthma, pulmonary disease, or heart disease, who may need to seek medical care earlier than otherwise healthy travelers.

PREVENTION

Vaccines are available to prevent a number of respiratory diseases, including influenza, S. pneumoniae infection, H. influenzae type B infection (in young children), pertussis, diphtheria, varicella, and measles. Unless contraindicated, travelers should be vaccinated against influenza and be up-to-date on other routine immunizations. Preventing respiratory illness while traveling may not be possible, but common-sense preventive measures include the following:

• Minimizing close contact with people who are coughing and sneezing.
• Frequent handwashing, either with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers (containing ≥60% alcohol) when soap and water are not available.
• Using a vasoconstricting nasal spray immediately before air travel, if the traveler has a preexisting eustachian tube dysfunction, may help lessen the likelihood of otitis or barotrauma.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Camps M, Vilella A, Marcos MA, Letang E, Mun˜oz J, Salvado E, et al. Incidence of respiratory viruses among travelers with a febrile syndrome returning from tropical and subtropical areas. J Med Virol. 2008 Apr;80(4):711–5.
2. Cobelens FG, van Deutekom H, Draayer-Jansen IW, Schepp-Beelen AC, van Gerven PJ, van Kessel RP, et al. Risk of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in travellers to areas of high tuberculosis endemicity. Lancet. 2000 Aug 5;356(9228):461–5.
3. Foxwell AR, Roberts L, Lokuge K, Kelly PM. Transmission of influenza on international flights, May 2009. Emerg Infect Dis. 2011 Jul;17(7):1188–94.
4. Freedman DO, Weld LH, Kozarsky PE, Fisk T, Robins R, von Sonnenburg F, et al. Spectrum of disease and relation to place of exposure among ill returned travelers. N Engl J Med. 2006 Jan 12;354(2):119–30.
5. Jauréguiberry S, Boutolleau D, Grandsire E, Kofman T, Deback C, Aït-Arkoub Z, et al. Clinical and microbiological evaluation of travel-associated respiratory tract infections in travelers returning from countries affected by pandemic A(H1N1) 2009 influenza. J Travel Med. 2012 Jan–Feb;19(1):22–7.
6. Leder K, Newman D. Respiratory infections during air travel. Intern Med J. 2005 Jan;35(1):50–5.
7. Leder K, Sundararajan V, Weld L, Pandey P, Brown G, Torresi J. Respiratory tract infections in travelers: a review of the GeoSentinel surveillance network. Clin Infect Dis. 2003 Feb 15;36(4):399–406.
8. Luna LK, Panning M, Grywna K, Pfefferle S, Drosten C. Spectrum of viruses and atypical bacteria in intercontinental air travelers with symptoms of acute respiratory infection. J Infect Dis. 2007 Mar 1;195(5):675–9.
9. Medina-Ramon M, Zanobetti A, Schwartz J. The effect of ozone and PM10 on hospital admissions for pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a national multicity study. Am J Epidemiol. 2006 Mar 15;163(6):579–88.

 

Donald I got to say that usually your posts are entertaining. Although this one was very informative it was a bit of a yawner. I guess that's why we don't read the CDC website.

 

lol

Guilty

 

In his defense the thread did start off with a picture of an air conditioner so there wasn't much to work with lol

 

There has been so much speculation , I thought a bit of professional scientific info would help the subject.

Now I,m scared to breathe on a plain

 

Pee is sterile - it's the least of your concerns in the pool!
:ernaehrung023:

 

:icon_eek: !!!!!!! lol I've heard that but I've also heard many medical professionals say that's not true so it freaks me out still lol