Sandstorms contribute to bacterial infection — doctors

Sandstorms are a major cause of bacterial and viral infections, particularly among those with weaker immune systems such as the elderly and pediatrics, an eminent health consultant told reporters yesterday.
Dr. Milad Elias El-Bittar, consultant at the Consulting Clinics in Kingdom Hospital in Riyadh, was speaking at an awareness campaign launched in the capital to educate people on the serious dangers sandstorms pose and provide information on the best ways to manage respiratory problems resulting from storms.
Three prominent medical practitioners and pharmacologists took part in the discussions. Medical experts discussed the causes and dangers of sandstorms, as well as the best ways for people to protect themselves during sandstorms.
Additionally, El-Bittar pointed out that due to the large amount of pollen these storms carry, allergies commonly known as allergic rhinitis are also a problem. In severe cases and when left untreated, allergic rhinitis can lead to asthma, even in patients with no previous history of the illness.
Sandstorms are defined as strong gusts of wind that carry sand and dust particles with them. They occur most often in desert areas and are a particular problem in the Middle East, particularly in the Gulf where there are large areas of desert land. Sandstorms are most often seen in the Sub-Saharan region and are most frequent during the months of April and May when winds in these areas are the highest. As wind rates increase large amounts of sand particles are blown into the air. At their worst, sandstorms can completely blanket the surrounding area making it difficult to see and breathe. To onlookers the skyline may appear orange or brown, the result of massive amounts of sand and dust in the air.
In Saudi Arabia, sandstorms occur most often in the summer months, June through August when the shamal (North) winds that drive dust across the country are at their peak. According to the most recent studies, an average of five sandstorms occur in Riyadh each year. If a sandstorm is particularly bad, a single storm may last anywhere from 18 to 20 hours. Talking about the health risk of sandstorms, it was recalled that in 2012, one single sandstorm hit Saudi Arabia affecting over 400 citizens, who were admitted to hospital for respiratory diseases, caused by the sandstorm. Almost a quarter of those admitted to the hospital were children, as they are the most vulnerable to sandstorms.
Dr. Mohamed Al Gobain, consultant pulmonologist for the department of medicine at King Abdulaziz Medical City in the National Guard Health Affairs division said, “Asthma is one of the most chronic illnesses in the Kingdom and places a severe financial burden on both the state and the individual. It is already estimated that as much as 64 percent of all asthmatics in Saudi Arabia are uncontrolled putting them at severe risk of respiratory complications particularly due to sandstorms.”
Uncontrolled asthma can severely affect the quality of life for patients, causing them to constantly feel fatigued and face a mounting financial burden due to the direct costs of medical treatment as well as the indirect costs, such as days off work or school. In severe cases untreated asthma can in fact lead to pneumonia or respiratory failure and can be fatal in some instances. “Greater awareness to help asthmatics to better manage their disease is crucial,” he added.