Not cleaning your air conditioner can cause pneumonia, says Department of Health

Professional air conditioner cleaning services have been swamped with work this week after Thailand’s Department of Health announced that dirty air conditioning units can cause pneumonia. Moist air conditioner units are breeding grounds for bacteria, viruses and fungi according to the department.

High numbers of private residences and businesses have requested professional cleaning of their air conditioner units this week following the department’s warning to the public.

Moist and dirty air conditioner units create the perfect breeding conditions for a bacterium known as legionella. Breathing in legionella can cause a severe form of pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease.

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease begin with a headache, muscle aches and a high fever. By the second or third day of showing symptoms, the infected may develop a cough, shortness of breath, chest pain,…