22/10/2025
air conditioning making you sick.
"Spread among children is especially high at school and during playtime. They then spread the virus to their families, and parents then pass it on at work," said a doctor.
As evenings in the UAE cool down, many residents are venturing outdoors for walks, weekend barbecues, and beach gatherings. The weather feels just right—not too hot, not too cold. Indoor air conditioners are still on because it can be hot in the afternoons, and many homes feel stuffy due to a lack of air circulation.
But that combination of cool air indoors and a gentle breeze outside is the reason so many people are getting sick, doctors say. Doctors in the UAE emphasize that each change in season leads to a significant increase in symptoms, such as sore throats, runny noses, and mild fevers, resulting in hospitals and clinics seeing more patients.
According to Dr. Mahmoud Medhat, a specialist in intensive care medicine at the International Modern Hospital Dubai, said: "The human body is designed to adapt gradually to temperature changes. When we constantly switch between extremes, from very cold, dry, air-conditioned rooms to warm, humid outdoor air, the body's defense mechanisms in the nose and throat become overloaded."
Extreme temperature fluctuations can lead to more illnesses – these sudden shifts cause small blood vessels to repeatedly constrict and dilate. "This irritates the mucous membranes and makes them more vulnerable to viruses," he said.
Seasonal Pattern
Doctors said this pattern is not new. The seasonal transition from summer to winter, roughly from late September to November, is when many residents get sick. Dr. Athira Jayaprakash Engoor, a physician at NMC Medical Centre in Abu Dhabi, said her clinic has seen a marked increase in infections in recent weeks.
"Children are the first to show symptoms," she said. "Spread among children is especially high in schools and during outdoor play. They then spread it to their families. Eventually, the whole family is infected, and then parents pass it on at work."
Dr. Athira noted that the change in weather and colder indoor air conditioning are combining to cause sinus and throat problems. “When cold weather causes sinus congestion and air conditioning adds to the dryness, people are more susceptible to sinus infections,” she said.
What’s Really Happening in Your Body
Doctors say the body is constantly trying to balance itself. When someone goes from a cold indoor environment to the warm outdoors, blood vessels quickly dilate to release heat. That’s when you feel short of breath or get a headache. “The difference in humidity also affects breathing. Cold, dry indoor air can dry out the throat and nose, while warm outdoor air can cause swelling or a runny nose as the body tries to adjust, said Dr. Medhat.
Dr. Marian Malak Eshak Morkos, a family medicine specialist at Burjeel Day Surgery Center in Al Shahama, said these frequent temperature fluctuations strain the respiratory tract. "When you travel between cold and hot environments, the sudden change affects the mucous membranes, your body's first line of defense," she said.
"Rapid cooling and heating can dehydrate them, making them less able to effectively trap and remove viruses," Dr. Marian added.
She noted that office workers are among the hardest hit. They spend long hours in air-conditioned offices and then briefly venture outside to brave the heat. Children are next, as their immune systems are still developing. Delivery workers are also constantly exposed to heat, but they adapt better over time.
"Moderation" "is the key."
While some doctors believe that temperature change itself is not a direct cause of illness, they agree that it increases the body's stress, especially when immunity is already low.
Dr. Baiju Faizal, an internist at Lifecare Hospital Musaffah, said there is little evidence that temperature change alone weakens the immune system in healthy people. "In normal, healthy people, thermal adaptability is not affected. But prolonged exposure to cold, dry air can affect the body's adaptability," he said.
He added that good nutrition, rest, and hydration are more important than temperature fluctuations. "Your overall health, stress levels, and sleep determine your immune response. However, for people with diabetes, asthma, or a weakened immune system, these fluctuations can worsen symptoms,” he said.
Common Symptoms
Most doctors report similar symptoms: sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, a mild fever, and fatigue. Most infections are viral and resolve within five to seven days. However, patients should consult a doctor if they experience a high fever, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.
To stay healthy, doctors recommend keeping indoor temperatures moderate, around 23 to 25 degrees Celsius, and avoiding very cold environments at night.
