Can you get a cold from a humidifier?

Human health and well-being largely depends on the microclimate created in residential premises. The humidity in the room (together with the temperature and hygienic condition of the room) is an important indicator of a healthy microclimate.

For residential premises occupied by adults, the following air humidity is considered optimal:

• minimum level - 40%;
• the maximum level is 70%.

In rooms with children, the standard indicator increases:

• for a newborn - 50%;
• for a healthy preschooler and primary school student - 60%.

Humidifier and its effect on human health

Household humidifiers help maintain the humidity levels required by a person. They relieve a person from the negative effects of dry air on the condition of the skin and hair, and help regulate heat exchange. The popularity of these devices is increasing, but some buyers are concerned about whether their use will lead to a cold or other illness.

Can a humidifier cause a cold?

To find out whether the air emitted by the device will cause hypothermia (and subsequently a cold), you should clarify which air stream comes out of the device.

This indicator depends on its type and principle of operation:

• the traditional option is a stream at room temperature;
• steam option - warm jet;
• ultrasonic version - a jet at room temperature.

Important! Household humidifiers of any kind do not produce cool air flow.

Considering this feature of the devices, you can be confident in their safety. Humidifiers do not cause hypothermia or cause colds.

Doctors' opinion

Professional doctors also confirm the safety of the devices. Pediatrician E. O. Komarovsky, an authority for parents, claims that the main cause of frequent respiratory diseases in children is dry air, and not the use of a humidifier. Dr. Komarovsky considers low humidity “one of the global problems of civilization.” Proper use of humidifiers can overcome this problem.

Is it necessary to humidify the air in the room of a sick person?

The use of humidifiers becomes especially important if there are patients suffering from pulmonary diseases in the room. This is explained by the fact that the devices support the protective capabilities of the nasal mucous membranes and prevent blood thickening, which can disrupt the normal functioning of human internal organs.

Therefore, maintaining air humidity is a real help in the fight that a weakened body wages against disease.

Important! For a preschool child with a respiratory infection, high air humidity is required: from 60 to 70%.

How to use a humidifier without harm to your health

A guarantee of the usefulness of devices when humidity levels increase is their correct operation.

Helpful tips for using humidifiers safely

• Strict adherence to the recommendations for use drawn up by the manufacturer of a particular model will make the use of the device safe.
• Purified water should be poured into the container: distilled or boiled, which is settled and cooled.
• When using a humidifier, it is important to follow the proper care instructions. To avoid harm to health, it is important to wash the device regularly to remove scale. Timely replacement of the filter or cartridge is also required.
• Excessive indoor humidity is seriously harmful to health. This can be avoided by using a hygrometer, which will provide accurate information about the microclimate.
• To maintain good health, it is important to combine normal humidity with optimal air temperature (20 to 24°) and regularly ventilate the room.

Proper use of household appliances will allow you to take full advantage of their benefits.