Khaberni - Gaith Owais, the Director of the Health Awareness and Information Directorate at the Ministry of Health, said on Saturday that children and the elderly are the groups most at risk during dust waves.
He mentioned in statements to "Al-Mamlaka" channel that children could suffer from respiratory irritation and an increased chance of asthma attacks.
He explained that dust could also lead to infections in the upper respiratory tract and bronchi, in addition to nasal and eye allergies and throat inflammation.
For the elderly, symptoms such as shortness of breath, accelerated heartbeats, and eye issues may appear due to the dust.
Owais pointed out that heading to the nearest health center or emergency department becomes necessary when symptoms such as breathing difficulties, accelerated breathing, or severe coughing appear, emphasizing that shortness of breath is one of the critical signs that require immediate medical review.
He advised against leaving the house during dust waves except for extreme necessity, keeping children indoors, closing windows, operating air purifiers if available, and adhering to prescribed medications for respiratory patients.
Owais also recommended wearing masks when forced to go out, drinking sufficient amounts of water to hydrate the respiratory tracts, and changing dusty clothes immediately upon returning home, especially if children with respiratory diseases are present.
He mentioned that the Health Awareness and Information Directorate conducts awareness campaigns through media and social media platforms, alongside field teams from community health committees volunteers spread in various regions of the kingdom, to spread health guidelines during different weather conditions such as dust waves, heat, and weather depressions.
On Saturday, there will be a noticeable decrease in temperatures while the weather remains dusty in many areas, especially in the south and east of the kingdom.
The weather will be relatively cold and partly cloudy to cloudy in most areas, and relatively warm in the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and Aqaba.
