❄️ Air Conditioning Sickness: Symptoms and Prevention Tips for Summer
Headache, chills, indigestion… Could it be AC sickness? Here’s how to spot it and stay healthy.
“It’s freezing indoors and boiling outside—I feel like I’m getting sick.”
“After sitting under the AC for hours, I get headaches and stomachaches.”
“I can’t tell if this is just a cold or something else.”
During hot summer months, air conditioning is nearly unavoidable—at home, in the office, in public transportation.
But long exposure to cold air and abrupt temperature changes can cause a condition known as air conditioning sickness or AC syndrome.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- What AC sickness is and why it happens
- Key symptoms and how to tell it apart from a cold
- Self-diagnosis checklist
- Simple prevention tips to stay well in air-conditioned spaces
🌬 What is air conditioning sickness?
Air conditioning sickness, also known as aircon syndrome, occurs when prolonged exposure to cold air disrupts the body’s autonomic nervous system and temperature regulation.
It’s more common in people who are tired, elderly, sensitive to cold, or have a weakened constitution.
🤒 Common symptoms of AC sickness
- Chills, joint stiffness
- Headaches or dizziness
- Stomach discomfort, diarrhea, or indigestion
- Runny nose, sneezing, minor cough (mimicking a cold)
- Irregular menstruation, persistent fatigue
- Cold hands and feet
🤧 Cold vs AC sickness: What’s the difference?
| Factor | Common Cold | AC Sickness |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Viral infection | Cold air exposure, nervous system imbalance |
| Fever | Often present | Rare |
| Runny nose/cough | Common | Sometimes present |
| Recovery | 3–5 days with medication | Improves with lifestyle changes |
| Contagious | Yes | No |
✅ Self-check: Are you experiencing AC sickness?
| Symptom | Applies to you? |
|---|---|
| Body feels stiff after staying indoors | ⬜️ |
| Headaches after prolonged AC exposure | ⬜️ |
| Frequent digestive issues after cold exposure | ⬜️ |
| Cold extremities even during summer | ⬜️ |
| Lack of focus in air-conditioned rooms | ⬜️ |
If you check 3 or more, you may be experiencing AC sickness.
🛡 How to prevent air conditioning sickness
🌡 Maintain indoor temperature between 24–27°C (75–80°F)
- Avoid temperature differences over 5–6°C between indoors and outdoors
- Keep AC airflow away from your face and body
👚 Keep your body warm
- Always carry a light cardigan, lap blanket, or long-sleeved shirt
- Keep your abdomen and feet warm to support digestion
☕️ Choose warm drinks
- Instead of iced coffee or soda, drink warm water, barley tea, or ginger tea
🧘♀️ Move regularly to improve circulation
- Get up and stretch every 1–2 hours
- Try simple shoulder rolls or light stretching to enhance blood flow
📚 References
- Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency – Air Conditioning Health Tips
https://www.kdca.go.kr - Asan Medical Center – Understanding AC Sickness and Prevention
https://www.amc.seoul.kr - Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service – Seasonal Health Info
https://www.hira.or.kr
This article was curated by ChatGPT (GPT-4.5, July 2025).
Korean