Service AC units annually to reduce Respiratory Illnesses - Dr. Jimmy Joseph, Specialist - Internal Medicine @Universal

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GULF NEWS HEALTH
January 5, 2018

“Over the last two months, there has been an increase in the number of flu cases reported,” Dr Jimmy Joseph, internal medicine specialist at Universal Hospital, told Gulf News, “and it would certainly help if residents had their air conditioning and ventilation ducts serviced. These areas can harbour allergens, and allergy-related respiratory illnesses are known to be particularly common in the UAE.”
About 14 per cent of UAE residents are known to suffer from asthma and allergic rhinitis, and these conditions are harder to manage in homes with allergens. In addition, patients can find it harder to breathe during winter days marked by heavy fog, which also bring with them ambient pollution.
The fine dust that collects in uncleaned ducts can contain as many as 1,000 dust mites, and up to 250,000 allergenic dust mite faecal pellets, and these trigger nasal and respiratory symptoms in people with pre-existing allergies. In addition, mould, which is also known to exacerbate allergies through released spores, can also build up in these pipelines.
While general maintenance is provided for most apartments and villas in the capital by landlords and property management companies, the cleaning of air conditioning ducts is not included in most maintenance contracts. Residents therefore have to request the service, and often pay for it themselves.
It is advisable to have the air conditioning ducts cleaned annually.



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