Flu season in the UAE: What you need to know

Gulf News

It’s officially flu season in the UAE. What does this mean? Have you been vaccinated yet? We tell you everything you need to know. Visit gulfnews.com/1.1571055494850 #gulfnews #news #fluseason

Transcript

00:00Hello and welcome, this is Jay Hiloutian of Gulfkiosh.com.

00:09It's already the flu season.

00:13The influenza virus is already on for this season.

00:17In most countries, the onset starts from September to March, April, same thing in the UAE.

00:24So what is the flu virus?

00:28Influenza is a virulent virus that affects the respiratory system.

00:35Now the flu shots are already available across the country in government clinics as well

00:41as private clinics.

00:43So the health authorities are advising everyone, that includes you and me, to get this flu

00:51shot.

00:52It costs 50 dirhams in private clinics and in government hospitals or clinics, it's free

00:58for certain categories of people.

01:01Why do you get a flu shot?

01:05The reason is it helps your immune system form antibodies against the flu or the influenza

01:13virus.

01:14There are three different strains, types A, B and C.

01:18The most common strains are types A and B. The C is a little bit milder.

01:26It usually causes milder respiratory symptoms.

01:31Again, the flu virus is contagious.

01:34You can get it from someone sneezing in the office at work or at home or even on doorknobs,

01:41for example.

01:43And it is best to get the flu shot, according to health experts here.

01:49Now, we're not scaremongering in this video, but in some countries, in many countries,

01:58the flu virus could kill you.

02:00In the U.S. alone, 36,000 people are killed every year by flu-related complications.

02:07Okay, if you want to learn more about this story, log on to Gulfnews.com.

02:12You can read the story that goes with this video.

02:15That's all for now.

02:16Thanks for watching.

02:17Get the flu shot and see you next time.

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