Dust means more people falling sick, says medic

Dubai: People with asthma and allergies have been advised to take their medication to avoid falling ill while the UAE experiences dusty weather.

Dr Bassam Mahboub, vice-president of the UAE Respiratory Society, told Gulf News he has received more reports of people falling ill.

"People are getting sick because of the change in weather," he said, but he could not quantify the increase.

He said those with asthma and allergies were most at risk of developing Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs), blaming the increase partly on the rising temperatures and humidity, as well as on air pollution.

"People with asthma and allergies usually stop taking their medication when they feel better. I advise them not to do so around this time," he said.

Healthy people are usually only vulnerable to URTIs, such as colds and flu, when they come in contact with sick people.

To prevent getting infected, he advised people to wash their hands.

Cold and flu

"Healthy people are not susceptible to weather changes. They only need to wash their hands, especially after touching sick people," he said.

Pharmacies Gulf News contacted reported higher sales of cold and flu medicines and allergy drugs