Dry night cough in a 3-year-old, only in the AC season
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Militari, Veteranilor street, 1988 block. My 3-year-old daughter has a dry night cough, no fever, from June to September, two years running. Nothing in winter. The paediatrician ruled out infection. The bedroom has a 6-year-old 9,000 BTU Midea that we keep at 23 °C with the jet at the bed 'so she is not hot'. What do we do?
What is really happening
Allergy symptoms cannot identify the source on their own. Dust, outdoor pollen, damp surfaces and other indoor exposures may contribute. An air conditioner can cool and remove moisture, but does not diagnose an allergy or guarantee a target humidity. Inspect filters and drainage and follow the clinician’s advice for the person concerned.
- Particles of different sizes move through the air.
- The filter retains some particles, depending on its type.
- A standard filter is not equivalent to HEPA filtration or gas removal.
Particles are symbolic and not to scale.
- In the European ECRHS study, homes with air conditioning showed roughly 30–40% more wheeze, breathlessness and current asthma. [LBNL Indoor Air Quality Scientific Findi, 2023]
- The blower (cross-flow fan) is the most fungus-contaminated component of a split unit, more than the filter or the front of the evaporator. [Indoor Air, 2023]
- Daikin Romania and INSP recommend setting the unit at 25–27 °C and a maximum 6–10 °C difference from outdoors, for comfort, health and lower consumption. [Daikin România, 2024]
- The fungal genera dominant in split units – Cladosporium, Alternaria, Aspergillus – are recognised triggers of allergic asthma. [Building and Environment, 2025]
What we do on site
- Collection cover, film over the cot and toys.
- Cleaning solution, pressure wash in place: evaporator, roller, pan.
- Sanitising solution, extra rinse, full drying on 'Fan'.
- Outdoor unit, washed in place.
- We set the remote together: 25–26 °C, louvre up, low speed, morning 'Fan' timer. See current rates on the Prices page.
What you can do yourself
- Move the bed out of the jet's path or point the louvre at the ceiling.
- Thin cotton pyjamas and 25–26 °C, not 23 °C and a duvet.
- Hygrometer: 40–55%; a glass of water on the nightstand does no harm.
- Filters every two weeks, 'Fan' 20 minutes before shut-off.
What NOT to do
- Do not compensate the cough with a humidifier next to a dirty unit – you add moisture to biofilm.
- Do not give cough syrups 'preventively' without a doctor – they do not treat the cause.
- Follow medical advice for symptoms. If the unit is suspected of mould contamination, stop using it and arrange an assessment before restarting.
Prevention
Plan maintenance according to the appliance manual and what is found during inspection. Keep any medical follow-up separate; cleaning does not guarantee that symptoms will resolve.
When to call us
0764 012 943, Monday–Saturday 08:00–20:00. Militari – usually within 2–3 days.
Maintenance does not replace medical care. CDC: mold and health · EPA: moisture and mould
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Read also
- Allergies, sneezing and irritated eyes from the air conditioner
- Air conditioning and small children
- Home humidity and air conditioning
Sources (9)
- iaqscience.lbl.gov/increased-use-air-conditioning-and-potential
- onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2023/8984619
- www.daikin.ro/ro_ro/daikin-hub/articole-aer-conditionat/aer-conditionat-canicula.html
- www.edupedu.ro/cum-ne-protejam-de-canicula-recomandarile-institutului-national-de-sanatate
- www.radioromania.ro/Actualitate/insp-recomandari-pentru-protectie-in-perioada-de-canicula-
- www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360132325010303
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK143940/
- www.cdc.gov/mold-health/about/index.html
- www.epa.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-your-home
The information on this page is educational and based on cited sources; it does not replace medical advice. We do not do repairs, installation or refrigerant circuit work.