Flu bug in the air in UAE: What to do to avoid it

Changing weather is resulting in more cases of common illnesses like cold and flu among both young and old people in the UAE.

Dr Rema Muhaisen of the University of Sharjah Hospital said common cold cases are now at the highest in the past two months.

“In the past two months, six out of 10 cases I received related to cold. During this time, I received only one case of influenza”, said Dr Rema.

Cold and flu bugs affect people who are tired and rundown because the body is too weak to defend itself.

In good health, a person’s protection mechanism [white blood cells] searches and destroy bugs that get into the system. The following video illustrates how a strong white cell finds, attacks and destroys a virus.

Only a strong immune system can prevent recurrent cold and flu but how can we build one?

According to the Special Health Report from Harvard Health Publications, the guidelines to have a good immune system are as follows:

1- Don’t smoke.

2- Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in saturated fat.

3- Exercise regularly.

4- Maintain a healthy weight.

5- Control your blood pressure.

6- Get adequate sleep.

7- Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly.

8- Get regular medical screening tests for people in your age group and risk category.

Dr Rema said a person who gets a cold once can get re-infection soon if he is exposed again to the germs.

How to diagnose Flu?

Abu Dhabi Health authority mentioned on their website two vaccinations to prevent yourself from getting the Seasonal Flu:

1-    The "flu shot"–an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The seasonal flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women.

2-    The nasal–spray flu vaccine –a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for ‘Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine’). LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Doctor Rema advices all people to follow doctors instructions and if any person felt that they didn’t improve they should visit the doctor immediately.

(Home page image courtesy Shutterstock)

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