In the sweltering summer, using air conditioning is a commonplace daily routine. However, recently, a 36-year-old man in Jiangsu, China was admitted to the ICU and diagnosed with myocarditis after exposure to air conditioning, escaping danger only after 5 days of ECMO treatment.
According to reports, Mr. Song, 36, from Jiangsu, caught a chill from the air conditioner at home. He initially thought it was just a common cold. However, he gradually developed symptoms such as chest discomfort, weakness, and limb paralysis, and finally passed out. He was taken to the hospital by his family. Due to frequent arrhythmias, Mr. Song was transferred to another hospital for treatment. After 5 days of ECMO treatment, he was finally out of danger and was ultimately diagnosed with fulminant myocarditis.
Dr. Qian Sibei, the chief physician of the cardiovascular department of the First People’s Hospital of Changzhou, explained that this disease has a hidden onset and rapid outbreak, causing patients to experience stubborn shock and fatal arrhythmias, resulting in a high mortality rate.
It is understood that in the past six months, the hospital has admitted several cases of fulminant myocarditis caused by colds. Doctors reminded the public to adopt good lifestyle habits, reduce late nights, enhance physical fitness, and not set the air conditioning temperature too low. If symptoms such as fever, cough, diarrhea occur, especially accompanied by chest tightness, chest pain, and other symptoms, one must take them seriously and seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
However, some speculate that the man’s sudden myocarditis is a sequela of COVID-19 and not merely due to exposure to air conditioning, sparking online discussion:
“It’s a post-COVID-19 sequela. Very normal.”
“It’s clearly myocarditis caused by COVID-19.”
“Isn’t anyone suspecting it’s a vaccine problem? Foreign research says it’s a bioweapon!”
“Three Fu days are a good opportunity to maintain health, try not to catch cold, it will harm the heart.”
Experts also warn to be cautious of “air conditioning disease” in summer. Long exposure to air conditioning can lead to headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, which are all common symptoms of “air conditioning disease”. It might also lead to digestive system problems like diarrhea. It is recommended to adjust the air conditioning temperature, keeping it at 26°C-28°C during the day is appropriate, and try not to keep it on all night. You can use ginger and Sichuan pepper to boil water for foot or leg soaking, which can also help dispel the cold.