Clinics report half of daily cases involve chest infections such as bronchitis
An increase in the number of chest infections this summer has been blamed on environment changes with hot, dusty air mixing with humid conditions, UAE doctors have said. Exposure to poor air quality and an increase in vaping are also having an effect on the number of people being treated for respiratory conditions in clinics.
Health campaign
As temperatures creep up to nearly 50°C, and humidity up to 100 per cent at times, recent respiratory cases have worsened, doctors said. The Ministry of Health and Prevention has launched a campaign to ensure safe working conditions are in place for those employed outdoors during the summer. The campaign will make tours to construction sites and provide awareness lectures to impart health information during the intense seasonal heat. Bronchitis is inflammation of the airways that lead to the lungs and it can be triggered by environmental factors. It is usually caused by a viral infection but can also be the result of an allergic reaction to something inhaled, causing airways to swell and fill with mucus. The condition usually manifests as a persistent cough, and wheezing or rattling sounds when breathing.
“Most cases of bronchitis are caused by viruses during winter, but at this time of year we are seeing more cases related to allergies as well as viral infections,” said Dr Trilok Chand, consultant and head of the department of respiratory medicine at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi.
“We are currently seeing more acute bronchitis cases resulting from the change in the weather. It is something we would usually expect to see during the winter.”
Dr Chand said that 90 per cent of cases during winter result from viral infections. While cases in the summer are usually related to allergies.
“In younger and older people, it can develop into pneumonia – usually if their symptoms are persistent and do not clear up after 7 to 10 days or so,” he added.
Read Full Story: Thenationalnews
