Healthy Dry, Sick Humid

June 28, 2007 7:11 AM

Feeling better in dry conditions and sick in humid places: common?

I'm going through a bad case of the flu, and was looking through past threads on flu management, and noticed that a lot of the responses suggest a humidifier. I have heard from many people that humidity helps; however, for me, humidity makes things worse.

I'm from Malaysia (and am there now as I write this) and growing up, I would have colds and flus every six months or so. I've been hospitalized quite a few times for flus that went out of control. I actually was on drip this morning for a high fever that didn't go away during the night. However, I travel a lot, and I am always SO MUCH BETTER when I am in a drier climate. I don't get sick quite as often, or quite as worse. I moved to Australia last year, and while I'd have the occasional fever, they never lasted very long and didn't warrant anything beyond rest. I'm back in Malaysia for holidays; I've barely been here a week and I'm already sick.

The humidity/dryness contrast was shown very clearly to me on a world tour I went on two years ago, that crossed the US, Japan, and Europe. I spent about 6 or 7 weeks in each continent. I was perfectly healthy in the US and my worst problem in Europe was a sprained ankle (I fell down the stairs); however, in Japan I had week-long flus twice.

Am I weird? Is this common for anyone else? How can I recreate dryer conditions in humid places? We used to have a dehumidifier (which helped a lot) but now can't seem to find one. Any other suggestions?

posted by divabat to Health & Fitness (11 answers total)

Where are you located? YOu should be able to purchase a dehumidifier at Sears. There was an AskMe thread on dehumidifiers in the last week or two; you might wan to search for it.

Many TB sufferers in the late 19th century headed west (Doc Holliday is a notable example) for the dry climate. So no, you're not nuts.
posted by notsnot at 7:32 AM on June 28, 2007

Hmm that's odd because it seems to be that when your membranes are dried out you are more susceptible to having germs get in there.

A dehumidifier can be a wondrous thing - I assumed they would be readily available anywhere. Here (in Japan) they also sell these non-electric plastic cups which you can place around and they collect water.

Japan is a bit notorious for summer flu though - and it doesn't help when people here go to work sick and spreading germs on the train. Plus you are constantly moving from hot to cold environments every time you enter a building or vehicle. Also - unlike Australia - the personal space is less and you come in contact with a lot more germy people directly. Is it possible that that could be a factor as well?
posted by gomichild at 7:36 AM on June 28, 2007

I'll bet it's because bacteria thrive and are better able to spread in moist climates. My parents are a lot healthier & happier in dry Arizona as opposed to where we're all from, New York. However, that is mostly because they both suffer from arthritis, and the damp definitely exacerbates that.

That said, you definitely should be able to find a dehumidifier in a home improvement type store (Sears, Home Depot, etc)...many houses need them, especially in damp basements. Also, if you belong to a gym with a sauna, that could be a great source of dry heat - maybe worth seeing if it makes you feel any better.

Also, someone had posted a hair-dryer cold remedy way back when - basically just using a hair dryer to help dry out your nose a bit and raise the temperature enough to kill off any germs. (I have never tried this.)

Good luck & feel better!
posted by tastybrains at 7:38 AM on June 28, 2007

Just a note: I'm from Malaysia (and am there now as I write this)
posted by gomichild at 7:40 AM on June 28, 2007

When I was living in far north Queensland, it seemed like the mildew (which was uncontrollable in that kind of moisture) was quite irritating to my asthma. I wonder if there's some kind of external biological reason for your illhealth (like tastybrains suggests with the thriving bacteria) rather than the humidity itself directly affecting your condition.
posted by b33j at 7:54 AM on June 28, 2007

My mold allergies and asthma are acute and terrible when it's humid and when it's rainy. When it's nice and hot and dry, I don't have any respiratory or allergy problems at all.
posted by headspace at 8:22 AM on June 28, 2007

I believe they used to send people to dry climates in the olden days to help them get better when they had lung ailments. Denver, CO (a very dry climate) is still a well-known center for TB treatment.
posted by vytae at 9:01 AM on June 28, 2007

I agree with what b33j says. I have the same problem.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 9:49 AM on June 28, 2007

What others said about moisture and mold (and also pollen). You may feel better by finding and reducing mold sources - wipe down your shower stall, increase ventilation in the bathroom, and if you have mold in the walls or sheetrock, have it replaced.

Also, get checked for asthma.
posted by zippy at 11:26 AM on June 28, 2007

My move from Miami to Phoenix has nearly cured my acute sinusitis and a rash I would periodically get on my back post-workout that would linger for weeks. Maybe you could locate a sauna in your area?
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 12:12 PM on June 28, 2007

Oh dear, the flu/viral infection has gone to my comprehension skills. I would be happy if it were only once every six months growing up. More like once every two months...

The mold/mildew is definitely a big cause. I'm allergic to that, and to dust, and I do get really ill when I'm near anything mouldy. Considering that includes "my whole house", this does not bode well. I have to rewash and sun-dry all my clothes every time I return because otherwise they become unwearable!

I've been checked for asthma - don't have it.

Funny Denver got mentioned...I've been there twice and I've always been so super healthy! Even jet lag doesn't affect me. I love Denver.

Good to know that there is some basis to my humid-sickness. I'll see if I can ninja a hair dryer from somewhere. In the meantime, I just gotta rest till the holidays are over. Sigh, I miss Brisbane.
posted by divabat at 9:00 PM on June 28, 2007