A humidifier is commonly used to help people get comfortable while living in a low humidity environment. However, it can also cause various respiratory issues if it is not used correctly.
Pneumonia is a bacterial infection that can cause severe illness and even death. It can be contracted by individuals with weakened immune systems.
One such remedy is a humidifier. If you’re suffering from seasonal allergies, it can help.
Can A Humidifier Cause Pneumonia?
Humidifiers relieve the pneumonia symptoms like nausea, chest congestion. It effectively adds moisture content and reduces the dry air. But, it can cause bacteria growth without proper cleaning that may adversely affect the health and worsen the pneumonic infection.
In this article, we’ll discuss why a humidifier is good for people with respiratory conditions, as well as the various advantages and disadvantages of using one.
Are Humidifiers Good for Pneumonia?
Aside from pneumonia, you also should consider other conditions such as dry coughs and nasal congestion. They can be caused by factors that can affect the air quality, such as dust mites and allergen levels.
A humidifier uses a different technique to remove moisture from the air. It then helps prevent harmful bacteria from developing.
Also, keeping the air in the home humidified can help improve the quality of life by making it easier to breathe.
Although a humidifier can help improve the air quality, it should be noted that not all diseases can benefit from high humidity.
Not all conditions can benefit from high humidity. So, if you’re worried about the effects of a humidifier on your health, consult with a doctor before using one.
Aside from helping with respiratory conditions, a humidifier can also improve the quality of life by increasing the humidity in the air.
However, it is still important that users follow a few simple steps to ensure that their humidifier operates properly. Aside from regularly cleaning it, you should also keep a close eye on its humidity level to prevent it from getting damaged.
Humidifiers are beneficial for people as they help keep the nasal passage moist. They also relieve the congestion in the nasal cavity.
Although it can certainly help relieve respiratory infections, a proper and effective humidifier should only be used for its intended purpose.
Related: What Are the Benefits of a Humidifier?
Can Humidifier Worsen Pneumonia?
Many people are worried about the possibility of their humidifier causing pneumonia. The main reason why they use it is to help prevent their loved ones from getting sick.
Unfortunately, not keeping a clean humidifier can also contribute to the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi within the air sac. In order to prevent this issue, it is important to thoroughly clean the humidifier by washing all its parts with a 10% bleach solution.
Ideally, people should regularly clean their humidifier at least twice a day to remove any impurities or bacteria that might surface. It can also help them recover quickly from a respiratory illness.
Pneumonia: Definition and Causes
Pneumonia is a serious illness that can affect people of all ages. Being able to prevent it is the most effective way to fight it.
Pneumonia usually appears when the air sacs in the lungs are filled with fluid. This can cause one to feel sick.
Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria or viruses. The former causes mild illness while the latter can cause high fevers and respiratory infections.
According to experts, children under the age of 2 years old and adults over 65 are at high risk of developing pneumonia. It can be caused by the weakened immune system of these individuals.
The Mayo Clinic noted that children and adults over 65 years old are at high risk of developing pneumonia due to their weakened immune systems. It suggests that inhaling air contaminated with bacteria and viruses could be the culprit.
How to Prevent Pneumonia
Getting a flu shot is also important to prevent the development of bacterial pneumonia.
It’s also important to thoroughly wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating.
Not smoking is also important to prevent pneumonia. Aside from being healthy, a balanced diet and regular exercise are also important to maintain your immune system.
How to Treat Pneumonia
Follow the instructions of your doctor when it comes to treating bacterial pneumonia.
Antibiotics don’t work against bacterial pneumonia and can be used to lower a fever, relieve pain, and ease a cough.
Some people suffering from pneumonia may benefit from a cough suppressant. But, these drugs can also cause dangerous side effects, such as hospitalization.
Mild cases of pneumonia can be treated by taking a break from regular activities and keeping up with a healthy lifestyle. They can also be given rest and recovery by taking aspirins and Vitamin C.
Having the proper humidity in the air can also help improve the quality of life for people with respiratory conditions.
A hot bath can help relieve nasal congestion. Humidifiers can also help improve the humidity in the air.
Related: Are Humidifiers Good for You?
How To Maintain A Humidifier?
Having a healthy and clean humidifier is very important to ensure its longevity. Doing so can prevent it from getting damaged and attracting harmful microorganisms.
The following will explore a summary of how to maintain your humidifier.
Regularly Change Water
One of the easiest ways to keep your unit and its water supply clean is by regularly changing the water supply in its reservoir. This will help remove the stagnant water that can harbor harmful microbes.
Use De-mineralized or Distilled Water
Not using any type of water while using a humidifier is also a good idea. It can affect the air quality in your home.
Also, using distilled water is safer than using freshwater. Since it can still contain chemicals, distilled water is more effective at killing harmful organisms.
Regular Cleaning
If you use other cleaning products, make sure to avoid using harmful ones. It’s important to avoid introducing harmful chemicals to the air.
Some chemicals can also irritate the user. Instead, use natural white vinegar instead to remove this harmful residue.
UV Germicidal Light
UV light is also an effective way to kill harmful organisms.
The UV light from a humidifier is combined with steam vapor to kill off harmful bacteria and other organisms. This unit does not trigger asthma or worsen a respiratory condition.
Related: The Humidifier That Is Easy To Clean