Humidifier Fever
From "Indoor
Air Pollution."
Co-sponsored by:
The American Lung Association
(ALA),
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and
The American Medical Association (AMA)
Humidifier fever is a disease of uncertain etiology.
It shares symptoms with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, but the high attack
rate and short-term effects may indicate that toxins (e.g., bacterial
endotoxins) are involved. Onset occurs a few hours after exposure. It is a
flu-like illness marked by fever, headache, chills, myalgia, and malaise
but without prominent pulmonary symptoms. It normally subsides within 24
hours without residual effects, and a physician is rarely consulted.
Humidifier fever has been related to exposure to amoebae, bacteria, and
fungi found in humidifier reservoirs, air conditioners, and aquaria. The
attack rate within a workplace may be quite high, sometimes exceeding 25
percent.
Bacterial and fungal organisms can be emitted from
impeller (cool mist) and ultrasonic humidifiers. Mesophilic fungi,
thermophilic bacteria, and thermophilic actinomycetes -- all of which are
associated with development of allergic responses -- have been isolated
from humidifiers built into the forced-air heating system as well as
separate console units. Airborne concentrations of microorganisms are
noted during operation and might be quite high for individuals using
ultrasonic or cool mist units. Drying and chemical disinfection with
bleach or 3% hydrogen peroxide solution are effective remedial measures
over a short period, but cannot be considered as reliable maintenance.
Only rigorous, daily, and end-of-season cleaning regimens, coupled with
disinfection, have been shown to be effective. Manual cleaning of
contaminated reservoirs can cause exposure to allergens and pathogens.
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