A WOMAN has warned against sleeping with the air con on while on holiday – after she ended up in hospital.
Liana Foster, 24, was on holiday in Antalya, Turkey, with her family when she woke up with a sore throat.
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She felt even worse the following morning, waking up “groggy”, shaking and in pain.
Her mum, Lynette, 52, noticed white spots on her tonsils and took her to hospital.
She was put on a IV drip and spent five hours in hospital for tonsillitis – which doctors said had likely been caused by the aircon.
Liana has been on antibiotics for the last week and is gradually on the mend.
Read more on holiday health
The content creator and scientist, from north London, said: “I felt really groggy and got a sore throat as well.
“I was really shaky. I couldn’t eat or drink. I thought it was Covid again.
“My temperature was bad, my body was aching.
“I went to hospital and they said I have a really bad case of tonsillitis.
“They said it can happen from the aircon.
“It’s been pretty dull for the last few days of holiday.”
The cool blasts of air from the AC can feel heavenly after a day spent in the heat and sun.
But health experts have warned that aircon units can harbour nasty bacteria if not properly maintained, potentially leading to harmful infections.
Researchers have warned that AC units that don’t have efficient filtration systems may spread viruses, illness-causing bacteria and fungi.
Most commonly, you might experience a sore throat, dry mouth, breathing difficulties, sneezing, irritated skin, a headache or fatigue.
Liana landed in Antalya on July 16, 2024, and went straight to the hotel.
She said: “The first night we had it [the air con] on really low in the room.
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“I think I [breathe] through my mouth more. It made me ill.”
Liana woke up feeling unwell the next day but didn’t go to see the doctor in the hotel as it was “expensive”.
But the next day she woke up feeling “really bad” with white spots on her tonsils.
I believe if we didn’t sleep with the aircon on it would have been fine. I’ve had tonsillitis before but it has never been that bad
Liana Foster
Liana was told by doctors she had tonsillitis and that it was likely cause by the air con.
She said: “When it comes to the hotel, they are not going to maintain it.
“They say it can be mouldy air.
“The doctor said it was most likely from the air con.
“I couldn’t consume oral antibiotics so I had to get injections for three days and twice a day.
“I was in a lot of pain.”
For people who already suffer with respiratory conditions, cold blasts of air can make their symptoms worse.
But the icy air can render healthy people at higher risk of of respiratory infections too, as it can increase bronchial inflammation.
Senior clinical pharmacist Nyrah Saleem previously told Metro: “Generally, a well-maintained air conditioning unit will not make you sick.
“However, an AC unit which is not maintained in terms of water build up could potentially increase the risk of infections if it harvests viruses and bacteria – especially if mould or microbes grow within it.”
Consistently breathing in germ-filled air can cause a lung infection called Legionnaires’ disease – a severe type of pneumonia that’s usually caught in places like hotels, hospitals or offices where the bacteria have got into the air con, as well as humidifiers, hot tubs or swimming pools.
Other health dangers lurking on holiday
From plane travel to lounging at the pool or indulging in regional delicacies, there are a few ways you might be struck down by illness while on
Writing exclusively for The Sun, GP Dr Philippa Kaye outlined some common holiday health hazards:
- Respiratory infections – there is a risk of picking these up when you’re in close quarters with others on the plane. Though you might feel well enough to travel, consider your risk to others before doing so
- Deep vein thrombosis – sitting still for long flights can put you at risk of blood clots. They can lead to leg pain and swelling and if the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs causes a pulmonary emobolus (PE), which is extremely serious and can be fatal
- Sun allergy – sunburn isn’t the only sun related health hazard, as exposure to rays can leave you with an intensely itchy rash that needs a couple of weeks to heal
- Traveller’s diarrhoea – drinking or swimming in contaminated water can leave you with nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting
- Pityriasis versicolor – you may be more susceptible to this fungal rash during summer months or in hotter climates
Read more on the he 11 most common illnesses you can catch on holiday here.
Liana is now on oral medication and flew back to the UK on July 23, 2024.
She said: “I believe if we didn’t sleep with the air con on it would have been fine.
“I’ve had tonsillitis before but it has never been that bad.
“If bacteria travels down the throat it can get to the heart and other organs.”
Liana now wants to warn others to think twice about sleeping with the aircon on – unless they know it is regularly maintained.
She said: “I didn’t feel up to much.”
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