'Sudden temperature shifts, ACs lead to rise in illnesses'

Hospitals report increase in cases of sore throat, runny nose and mild fever

- SM Ayaz Zakir

The seasonal switch from summer to winter, roughly from late September to November, is when many residents fall ill.

As evenings turn cooler across the UAE, many residents have started stepping out for walks, weekend barbecues and beachside gatherings. The weather feels just right — not too hot, not too cold. Indoors, air conditioners are still running because the afternoons can be warm, and many homes feel stuffy due to a lack of air circulation.

But that mix of cool air inside and mild breeze outside might be the reason that many people are falling sick, doctors said. Doctors in the UAE highlight that every seasonal change results in a significant increase in complaints such as sore throat, runny nose and mild fever leading hospitals and clinics to see more patients.

According to Dr Mahmoud Medhat, specialist in critical care medicine at International Modern Hospital Dubai, “The human body is designed to adapt gradually to temperature changes. When we constantly move between extremes, from cold, dry air-conditioned rooms to warm, humid outdoor air, the body’s defence mechanisms in the nose and throat become strained.”

Extreme temperature shifts can lead to more illnesses — these sudden shifts cause tiny blood vessels to constrict and dilate repeatedly. “This irritates the mucous membranes and makes them more vulnerable to viruses,” he said.