UAE | Health

Summer conditions put residents at risk of cold and flu

Overcrowding of malls and heat make one susceptible to hazards despite a drop in infectious cases at medical centres

  • By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:07 July 4, 2008
  • Gulf News

Dubai: Cold and flu cases have seen a sharp drop in Dubai as summer begins, but health officials warned this does not mean people were not at risk.

Physicians attributed the drop to vacations at schools and this being a non-Haj season. They said cases have dropped between 20 to almost 50 per cent outside the peak season.

The Trauma Centre reported receiving an average of 20 cases daily compared to more than 25 daily in December. Dubai Hospital reported about 25 cases daily now versus around 50 in December.

"Schools have closed so we're seeing a drop in the rate of infection. We also see more colds and flu during the Haj season," said Dr Salvin George, medical emergency physician at the Trauma Centre.

Dr Mohammad Al Jamal, head of the emergency department at Dubai Hospital, agreed, saying the effect was not restricted to colds and flu. "When schools [are closed for the summer], we see a sharp drop in other infectious diseases, including chickenpox and mumps," Dr Al Jamal said.

Both said this did not mean there was no risk of catching a summer cold or flu, as the infection can occur throughout the year.

Exposure

"We have people from all over the world coming in and going out, and they bring different strains of the virus with them," he said. "Not everyone here has developed immunity to all the strains; there are over a million."

Another reason was unhealthy work environments, such as stress associated with long, working hours and overcrowded place of work. Dr Al Jamal said these conditions could lower the body's ability to fight infections.

"Stress can make people more susceptible to infections. Overcrowding will increase the risk of transmission," he said.

Dr Al Jamal said work was not the only place where overcrowding may occur as malls fill up, used by people to escape the scorching summer temperatures.

He said people should also be concerned with heat exhaustion during the season. "Both [cold and heat exhaustion] should be avoided because they ... may develop complications," Dr Al Jamal said.

Some tips to keep away from flu include maintaining hand hygiene to prevent transmission of the virus, and covering your mouth while coughing or sneezing. One must also stay at home, if infected, for two to three days, until after the infectious period is over. A healthier lifestyle, such as drinking plenty of water, and a good diet, helps keep flu away.

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