Beat the Heat, Not Your Health: Preventing Air-Conditioning Sickness This Summer

As summer temperatures soar, air conditioners become our best friends, offering a cool refuge from the sweltering heat. However, this constant exposure to artificial coolness can lead to what’s commonly known as "air-conditioning sickness" – a range of symptoms including headaches, dry skin, sore throats, fatigue, and even respiratory issues. The good news is that with some simple precautions, you can enjoy the comfort of AC without compromising your health. Here’s how, plus why monitoring your body temperature and choosing the right tools matter.

Understand the Root of the Problem

Air-conditioning sickness often stems from sudden temperature fluctuations (moving between extreme heat and cold), dry air (AC units reduce humidity), and poor air circulation (which traps dust, allergens, or mold). These factors weaken the body’s natural defenses, making you more susceptible to discomfort or illness.

Key Prevention Strategies

Regulate the Temperature: Set your AC to 24–26°C (75–79°F). This range balances coolness with your body’s natural temperature, reducing stress on your system. Avoid setting it below 22°C (72°F), as drastic differences from outdoor heat can shock your body.

Stay Hydrated: AC dries out the air, which can dehydrate you. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and consider using a humidifier to maintain indoor humidity between 40–60%. This keeps your skin, nasal passages, and throat moist.

Ventilate Regularly: Open windows for 10–15 minutes daily to let fresh air circulate. This helps expel stale air, dust, and pollutants that accumulate in closed spaces.

Dress in Layers: Even indoors, wear lightweight, breathable layers. This allows you to adjust your clothing as temperatures shift, preventing chills.

Clean Your AC Filter: A dirty filter harbors dust, mold, and bacteria, which are blown into the air you breathe. Clean or replace filters every 2–4 weeks to ensure clean airflow.

Why Monitoring Body Temperature Matters

Fluctuations in indoor and outdoor temperatures can weaken your immune system, making you more prone to colds or fevers. Regularly checking your body temperature helps you catch early signs of illness before it worsens. A sudden spike could indicate that your body is struggling to adapt to AC conditions or that you’ve caught a bug.

Recommended Infrared Thermometers

Infrared thermometers are ideal for summer use – they’re fast, non-contact, and easy to use, even on wiggly kids or busy adults. Here are two top picks:

Hetaida Multi-functional infrared thermometer: Known for accuracy, it measures temperature in 2 seconds with a gentle scan of the forehead. It can not only measure human body temperature, but also the temperature of objects, including the water temperature of children's baths, the temperature of complementary foods, the temperature of milk, etc.It also displays ambient room temperature, helping you adjust your AC settings.

Hetaida No-Touch Infrared Thermometer: Compact and user-friendly, it features a large LCD screen for easy reading and stores up to 50 temperature readings, so you can track changes over time.

Final Tips

Listen to your body – if you feel chilly, adjust the AC or add a layer. If you develop a persistent headache or sore throat, take a break from the AC and spend some time in natural air. By combining smart AC usage with temperature monitoring, you can stay cool, healthy, and ready to enjoy all that summer has to offer.

Stay cool, stay well!