The biotechnologist named an unobvious reason for coughing without signs of a cold

A polluted ventilation system in the house can be one of the causes of coughing and feeling unwell, unrelated to colds. This was announced on July 6 by Maria Zolotareva, Candidate of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Biotechnology and Industrial Pharmacy at RTU MIREA.

She noted that the inner walls of the ventilation ducts accumulate microparticles over time — exfoliated epithelial cells, pollen, textile fibers and fungal spores. At high humidity and temperature, mold fungi of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium actively develop on this substrate.

"The fungus forms a mycelium, an extensive network of filaments that grows into the porous surface of the ventilation walls," Zolotareva told Gazeta.Ru».

It is noted that one colony is capable of producing up to a million spores from every square centimeter of the surface, which are then distributed through the general ventilation and enter the apartments. The size of aspergillus spores ranges from 2 to 5 microns, some of them linger in the nose or trachea, but some can penetrate directly into the alveoli of the lungs. In a healthy person, macrophage cells destroy these spores, but with reduced immunity - after a severe flu, when taking hormonal drugs, or in old age — the spore can germinate, leading to the development of aspergillosis.

According to the expert, this fungal infectious disease is accompanied by coughing at night without sputum, shortness of breath when walking normally and a temperature of 37-37.5 degrees, which lasts for weeks. Treatment with antibiotics or antihistamines is useless in such cases: antibiotics do not work on fungi, and the reaction is not allergic, but infectious.

The expert advised to check the ventilation with a simple test: open the window and bring a thin strip of paper to the grill. If the paper is not held by the air flow or is deflected into the room, the draft is weak or reversed. Self-cleaning of the general ventilation shaft is prohibited: the management company is responsible for maintenance and cleaning.

Sweetness is not a joy: Russians under 35 are twice as likely to develop diabetes

Among the main causes, doctors cite obesity, poor nutrition and lack of physical activity.

Natalia Pshenichnaya, Deputy Director for Clinical and Analytical Work at the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, said on July 3 that Russians abroad should not consume ice in cafes if it is made from water of unknown origin, as it may contain infectious agents. It was noted that in case of doubt, it is better to give preference to drinks without ice or ask to use water, the quality of which is certain.