Ship Cough could it be the Air Conditioning

[kruisey]

I have been wondering for a long time if this is so.

It is so important that the Air Conditioning filters are replaced frequently on a ship and kept very clean.

No amount of hand washing and cleaning up will have any affect if the 'Air Conditioning is not kept clean.

In the end this would save a lot of time money and sickness on board.

Or has anyone got solid proof that this could not possibly be true?

[Ethel5]

Go here for info......

 

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp

Edited April 21, 2014 by Ethel5

[Pam in CA]

Heather, it depends. If you're allergic and have a cough, it could be the air ducts. If you have a cold/cough, it's a virus that you could catch from anywhere, any time.

[Ethel5]

This may be a better site for info-

 

http://www.naturalstandard.com/index-abstract.asp?create-abstract=generic-airtravelcruise.asp&title=Air%20travel%20and%20cruise%20ship%20health

[Times Prince]

Ship Cough could it be the Air Conditioning - I have been wondering for a long time if this is so.

It is so important that the Air Conditioning filters are replaced frequently on a ship and kept very clean.

No amount of hand washing and cleaning up will have any affect if the 'Air Conditioning is not kept clean.

In the end this would save a lot of time money and sickness on board.

Or has anyone got solid proof that this could not possibly be true?

Hand washing is particularly effective when dealing with bacteria and/or virus that is spread by contact, such as Norovirus. These issues are not typically spread through the air conditioning.

 

Coming from a high allergy area of the country, we have learned that washing of the face can also reduce the effect of airborne issues, such as pollens.

 

You are, however, correct about the need for constant maintenance of air conditioning filters, and I'm pretty sure Princess is on top of it (Doesn't the CDC check this kind of maintenance?). Keep in mind that inside cabins and OV cabins get their air from recirculation of air within the ship, which can lead to dry air, aggravating some people's COPD type problems.

 

My DW has had chronic issues, and we have been advised by a ship's doctor to sail in balcony cabins where we can open the door each day for a short period and refresh the air within the cabin with fresh air. We've had no new issues since adopting this policy.

 

What we have had issue with is AIRPLANES, and will often develop coughs and respiratory issues after flying, especially post cruise after 7-10 days of breathing fresh, non-pollinated air (and conversely we do not have issues if we drive to/from the port). Just like Noro, where new passengers (re)contaminate a ship after contracting the virus while travelling to the ship, it is possible that respiratory issues are contracted elsewhere, then exacerbated by closed air conditioning conditions within the ship, exhibiting symptoms after an incubation period.

 

The symptoms may show onboard ship, but it may not be correct to suppose it a ship caused illness.

[Salacia]

Heather, it depends. If you're allergic and have a cough, it could be the air ducts. If you have a cold/cough, it's a virus that you could catch from anywhere, any time.

 

 

Would Legionnaires' disease also be a possibility, amongst many other possible diagnosis - or should we just assume its an allergy or a cold/cough?

[Salacia]

Go here for info......

 

www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp

 

Yes, thanks. Except that the Center for Disease Control and Preventionl/Vessel Sanitation Program's main focus is outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease. There are no reports published regarding respiratory outbreaks on cruise ships, and I found no published inspection of air ducts or filters in passenger areas. Please point me in the right direction to find such information. Thanks. -S.

Edited April 21, 2014 by Salacia

[Lucky TGO]

I saled with Princess 24 times. My friend has been on 118 cruises with Princess NO KIDDING 118 He or his wife never had a cough or cold and he stays in a inside cabin only.

[Salacia]

I have been wondering for a long time if this is so.

It is so important that the Air Conditioning filters are replaced frequently on a ship and kept very clean.

No amount of hand washing and cleaning up will have any affect if the 'Air Conditioning is not kept clean.

In the end this would save a lot of time money and sickness on board.

Or has anyone got solid proof that this could not possibly be true?

 

Hi kruisey, it's not just the filters, it's the ducts. Filters are fairly easy to change, but the air conditioning ducts that run throughout the ships are vast, and not easy to clean, much like home air conditioning systems - but they are far more expensive to clean on ships. In addition, cruise ships are subject to far more moisture than land based homes/office buildings/hotels.

[kruisey]

This may be a better site for info-

 

http://www.naturalstandard.com/index-abstract.asp?create-abstract=generic-airtravelcruise.asp&title=Air%20travel%20and%20cruise%20ship%20health

 

As it has been mentioned to you there is nothing written about 'Air Conditioning' on the site you referred me too.Have you any other suggestions where this could be found ?

[Pam in CA]

Would Legionnaires' disease also be a possibility, amongst many other possible diagnosis - or should we just assume its an allergy or a cold/cough?

I have no idea as I know little about medicine. On the other hand, I did a Google search and found one reference to one case of Legionnaire's disease on a Princess ship. So, I'd say that your chances of getting it are pretty slim. Edited April 21, 2014 by Pam in CA

[Ethel5]

Would Legionnaires' disease also be a possibility, amongst many other possible diagnosis - or should we just assume its an allergy or a cold/cough?

 

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2014/chapter-6-conveyance-and-transportation-issues/cruise-ship-travel

 

Interesting article:

 

Legionellosis (Legionnaires’ Disease)

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe pneumonia caused by inhalation or possibly aspiration of warm, aerosolized water containing Legionella organisms. The organism is not transmitted from person to person. Symptom onset is typically 2–10 days after exposure, and older (≥65 years) travelers and those with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for infection.

Contaminated ships’ whirlpool spas and potable water supply systems are the most commonly implicated sources of shipboard Legionella outbreaks, although improvements in ship design and standardization of spa and water supply disinfection have reduced the risk of Legionella growth and colonization. Most cruise ships can perform Legionella urine antigen testing. In evaluating returned travelers for Legionnaires’ disease, clinicians should collect respiratory secretions for culture, which is essential to identifying the source of infection, in addition to collecting urine for antigen testing. People with suspected Legionnaire’s disease require prompt antibiotic treatment.

[chengkp75]

Legionella is an inhaled, aerosol bacteria. Yes, it is most commonly found in A/C ducting, but must have a place to initiate, usually the condensate pan in the air handler, where moisture is present. The USPH requirements for cruise ship A/C requires frequent sanitizing of the air filters, as well as sanitizing pads placed in the condensate pans to prevent the growth in the first place. These pads have color indicators to indicate the presence of bacteria. Duct work is inspected frequently, cleaned as required.

 

As another poster stated, hot tubs are a prime source for legionella, with the warm water, and air bubbles to aerosolize the bacteria. For this reason, the tubs are drained nightly, and the piping systems are superchlorinated to kill bacteria that can form under scale layers in the piping.

 

One common, but little known source of legionella are shower heads. Water tends to stay in air trapped in the head in the area between the holes. For this reason, the USPH requires that all shower heads be taken down every 6 months and sanitized in bleach. Shower heads at home are just as likely to breed legionella, and no one sanitizes them.

[kruisey]

Legionella is an inhaled, aerosol bacteria. Yes, it is most commonly found in A/C ducting, but must have a place to initiate, usually the condensate pan in the air handler, where moisture is present. The USPH requirements for cruise ship A/C requires frequent sanitizing of the air filters, as well as sanitizing pads placed in the condensate pans to prevent the growth in the first place. These pads have color indicators to indicate the presence of bacteria. Duct work is inspected frequently, cleaned as required.

 

As another poster stated, hot tubs are a prime source for legionella, with the warm water, and air bubbles to aerosolize the bacteria. For this reason, the tubs are drained nightly, and the piping systems are superchlorinated to kill bacteria that can form under scale layers in the piping.

 

One common, but little known source of legionella are shower heads. Water tends to stay in air trapped in the head in the area between the holes. For this reason, the USPH requires that all shower heads be taken down every 6 months and sanitized in bleach. Shower heads at home are just as likely to breed legionella, and no one sanitizes them.

On the ship inspection reports it never mentions checking of air ducts so I am wondering if they do .Due to weather conditions on my last cruise I spent more time indoors on the ship.This was the only time I got an upper respiratory infection with cough.

[vantec]

I don't know if you ever take ship's excursions, but the one and only time my husband and I got the cough was when we were on an excursion, trapped in a bus, next to a woman with the cough. We knew right at that point we were doomed - and we were correct. I bet there are lots of germs on those buses, and sometimes one excursion is done and the next one begins immediately, so no time to sanitize, if it's even ever done.

[FritzG]

I don't know if you ever take ship's excursions, but the one and only time my husband and I got the cough was when we were on an excursion, trapped in a bus, next to a woman with the cough. We knew right at that point we were doomed - and we were correct. I bet there are lots of germs on those buses, and sometimes one excursion is done and the next one begins immediately, so no time to sanitize, if it's even ever done.

 

Any smaller, enclosed area can be a problem. On our winter cruises this year sometimes we didn't get into an elevator when the doors opened and someone was coughing. We tried to use the stairs whenever possible.

 

Also, when we're going to fly we take extra doses of vitamin c for a week or so before and after the flight. I know there's disagreement about whether vitamin c makes a difference, but it has worked for us.

 

I agree with the poster who mentioned balcony cabins. Getting fresh air into the cabin is very important, although I think I caught the worst cold I ever had on a cruise from the person in the balcony next to ours.

[Ethel5]

..................................SNIP............................

Also, when we're going to fly we take extra doses of vitamin c for a week or so before and after the flight. I know there's disagreement about whether vitamin c makes a difference, but it has worked for us.

 

I got this from my Pharmacist and, so far, it's worked for me. On flights and cruises, I sniff Oil of Eucalyptus. I put 3 cotton balls in a medicine bottle and then soak them with the Oil. During a long flight, I will inhale this about every 2 hours. On a cruise, I'll sniff 3 to 4 times a day. Now for all the flack I'm going to get...No, TSA has never questioned me. I've been doing this for years and it works. It even helps at home when I've caught my yearly cold.:)

[chengkp75]

On the ship inspection reports it never mentions checking of air ducts so I am wondering if they do .Due to weather conditions on my last cruise I spent more time indoors on the ship.This was the only time I got an upper respiratory infection with cough.

 

The only thing mentioned in the ship reports are deficiencies. The USPH inspectors will check the air handlers, to see that the sanitizing pads are in place, fresh, and don't show indications of bacteria. Since this is an easy area of maintenance for the ship, it's not often overlooked, and legionella can have a high mortality rate, so there is quite a liability issue here, and the crew is instructed accordingly. If they don't show there, they don't usually grow elsewhere in the ducts. You need moisture to culture bacteria, and this is the most common source in a duct system. It then gets blown through the ducts, and will find things like dust balls to grow on, and the air is recirculated, so any spores are going to show in the air handlers. They will also look at the outlet registers, at the ship's maintenance records for duct cleaning, and any reports by third party contractors who "rattle" the ducts in drydock.

 

Very often, the air in the ships is much less humid than what you experience at home, even in an air conditioned house. Due to the natural high humidity in the sea air, the a/c system will cool the air down really quite low (50F) in order to drop out humidity, and then reheat it slightly to achieve proper supply air temperature. So this drop in humidity, with you going back and forth between the dry ship's air and the outside humid air, can lead to respiratory irritation and possible infection. Changes in humidity, like changes in drinking water, can trigger a lot of "traveler's illness".

[kruisey]

The only thing mentioned in the ship reports are deficiencies. The USPH inspectors will check the air handlers, to see that the sanitizing pads are in place, fresh, and don't show indications of bacteria. Since this is an easy area of maintenance for the ship, it's not often overlooked, and legionella can have a high mortality rate, so there is quite a liability issue here, and the crew is instructed accordingly. If they don't show there, they don't usually grow elsewhere in the ducts. You need moisture to culture bacteria, and this is the most common source in a duct system. It then gets blown through the ducts, and will find things like dust balls to grow on, and the air is recirculated, so any spores are going to show in the air handlers. They will also look at the outlet registers, at the ship's maintenance records for duct cleaning, and any reports by third party contractors who "rattle" the ducts in drydock.

 

Very often, the air in the ships is much less humid than what you experience at home, even in an air conditioned house. Due to the natural high humidity in the sea air, the a/c system will cool the air down really quite low (50F) in order to drop out humidity, and then reheat it slightly to achieve proper supply air temperature. So this drop in humidity, with you going back and forth between the dry ship's air and the outside humid air, can lead to respiratory irritation and possible infection. Changes in humidity, like changes in drinking water, can trigger a lot of "traveler's illness".

For your very informative views.

The last few cruises I went on I noticed this cough in folks which seems to be

infectious because it spreads even though one frequently hand washes so it seems to be airborne.

Do we have a Chemical Engineer among our mist who can sort this one out for us? It would be nice for passengers and crew to be rid of this pesky bug?

[chengkp75]

For your very informative views.

The last few cruises I went on I noticed this cough in folks which seems to be

infectious because it spreads even though one frequently hand washes so it seems to be airborne.

Do we have a Chemical Engineer among our mist who can sort this one out for us? It would be nice for passengers and crew to be rid of this pesky bug?

 

You would probably need a Microbiologist and/or an Infectious Disease Specialist. There is a lot of information on Legionella (and I don't think that what you're describing is Legionella) on the CDC website, and you'll notice that Legionella is actually classed as a waterborne illness, due to the amount of moisture needed to keep bacteria viable.

 

You probably need to look to an Environmental Engineer, to see whether or not the a/c system is a likely cause.

Edited April 21, 2014 by chengkp75

[kruisey]

You would probably need a Microbiologist and/or an Infectious Disease Specialist. There is a lot of information on Legionella (and I don't think that what you're describing is Legionella) on the CDC website, and you'll notice that Legionella is actually classed as a waterborne illness, due to the amount of moisture needed to keep bacteria viable.

 

You probably need to look to an Environmental Engineer, to see whether or not the a/c system is a likely cause.

 

Is there an Environmental Engineer a CC member ,or does anyone know of one that may help?

[Grammyluvs]

I developed a severe cough while on a Mediterranean cruise in 2010 after 3 days. I was not the least bit sick when I boarded the ship. When I got home I was hospitalized and dx. with pneumonia. I have no idea where or how I got it. I now take antibiotics with me on every cruise. Who knows what caused it....may have been infected before I boarded but not symptomatic.

Edited April 21, 2014 by Grammyluvs

[kruisey]

I developed a severe cough while on a Mediterranean cruise in 2010 after 3 days. I was not the least bit sick when I boarded the ship. When I got home I was hospitalized and dx. with pneumonia. I have no idea where or how I got it. I now take antibiotics with me on every cruise. Who knows what caused it....may have been infected before I boarded but not symptomatic.

Mine happened half way through a 35 day cruise.

It would be nice for everyone including the crew if this problem was solved.

Edited April 21, 2014 by kruisey

[Kenswing]

Mine happened half way through a 35 day cruise.

It would be nice for everyone including the crew if this problem was solved.

 

I'm curious, was this a widespread problem across the entire population of the ship? How many beside yourself contracted this cough?

 

How can you be sure that it is a systemic ship borne problem and not just a one off that you caught from another random passenger?

[RickEk]

Mine happened half way through a 35 day cruise.

It would be nice for everyone including the crew if this problem was solved.

 

I'm curious, was this a widespread problem across the entire population of the ship? How many beside yourself contracted this cough?

 

How can you be sure that it is a systemic ship borne problem and not just a one off that you caught from another random passenger?

 

My thoughts exactly...