Im Feeling Very Sick The Past Several Days, With Shortness

Posted on Mon, 16 Nov 2020

Question: Im feeling very sick the past several days, with shortness of breath, runny nose, fatigue and trouble focusing. I’ve been waking up at 5am every day with shortness of breath and a congested nose. I couldn’t figure out what it was, but believe it might be since the heat came on in the apartment. I looked inside the heater and it is filthy. The filter is caked with dust. It looks like it’s never been cleaned. Is it safe to stay in my apartment, and could this be the cause of it?

Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Heaters can dry the air which gives that problem

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for using "Ask a doctor" to post your health concern.

Yes the symptoms that you have at 5 o'clock can be due to the heater. Not per se because it is dirty but because heaters dry the air and the maximum of dryness is usually around 5 o'clock. Keeping a humidifier if the room may help a lot.

If the symptoms you are describing you have also during the day, then you may have an upper respiratory tract infection. If these condition has been going on more then 5 days and the shortness of breath is getting worse, consider seeing a local doctor to check your lungs.
Otherwise keep good hydrated by drinking plenty of water, take Ibuprofen or paracetamol as needed for pains and discomfort.

I hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Klarida Papaqako
General and family physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Klarida Papaqako (54 minutes later)

Thanks so much doctor! My symptoms are only the shortness of breath in the morning, thank you! I’ve experienced congestion, headaches and fatigue throughout the day. Sort of like allergies. Someone told me this could be due to mold in the heater as it has just been turned on recently. Is that a probable issue? How long should I wait for symptoms to improve before taking the next steps?

Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The water from the heater evaporates before it can allow mold to grow

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up question.
The heaters do not have mold, but if you see mold underneath or around them in the walls, then it can be that you have those symptoms. But in the case of the mold cause the symptoms can be really worse.

It looks more that you have symptoms of dry air from the heater. Try to find a way to humidify air, as I mentioned above.
Use an over the counter antihistamine like cetirizine 10mg once per day before sleeping. It should help with the symptoms during the day.
If those measures above do not help, or if you become worse, then consider seeing a local doctor who can examine you and order needed tests.

I hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Papaqako

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D