Health experts have warned holidaymakers about a common find in hotel rooms which can actually be a dangerous killer if not used correctly.
Air conditioning in hotel rooms are often a life saviour in hot weather, especially during a trip abroad but experts have recently warned that the handy fans can actually be causing more harm than good.
While cool blasts of air after a blistering day in the heat may feel great, it can cause some serious health problems.
Many holidaymakers may be familiar with that 'stuffy' feeling of being congested during or after a holiday and the AC units can be the main problem.
'Air Con Flu’, ‘Magaluf Flu’ and ‘Ayia Napa Flu’, are all one and the same, and are all associated with the cooling units.
That's because they can harbour bacteria which can cause a potentially harmful infection.
"Generally, a well-maintained air conditioning unit will not make you sick," Senior clinical pharmacist Nyrah Saleem told the Metro.
"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 the AC unit."
The air con machines can be full of irritants due to a build-up of mould.
Nyrah added: "Mould exposure can irritate your ears, eyes, nose and throat leading to symptoms such as a dry mouth, sneezing or a sore throat.
"Patients with conditions such as eczema or asthma may be more prone to irritation."
While coming into contact with them during holidays can cause health issues, those who are consistently breathing in germ-filled air can contract a lung infection called Legionnaires' disease - a severe type of pneumonia.
You can get Legionnaires' disease if you inhale tiny droplets of water containing bacteria that causes the infection, the NHS says.
"Legionella is usually found naturally in freshwater such a lakes and rivers however it can also thrive in man-made water systems, including hot tubs and air conditioning system and it’s usually spread by inhaling infecting water droplets," said Nyrah.
"An infection could lead to symptoms such as a fever, chest pains and a cough."
Legionnaires' disease is not commion but there are around 15 cases per million people every year the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDCP also states that one in 10 people who fall ill will die due to respiratory or organ failure complication - with the most commonly reported symptoms including; a cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain, a high temperature and flu-like symptoms.
The disease should be a concern if the AC unit uses water as part of it's cooling process and if the water isn't treated regularly it could then lead to further bacterial growth.
Which is why Nyrah stresses the importance of getting AC units serviced regularly, at least once a year by a professional.
You should also choose reputable resorts that "prioritise cleanliness", and request an air filter replacement if you're worried, she added.
When on holiday, the easiest solution to help the symptoms might be an anti-allergy tablet, such as Cetirizine Hydrochloride, which you can buy over the counter.
