The fourth episode of Know Plan Go, a podcast series by Gulf News in collaboration with Pfizer, focuses on the diverse spectrum of respiratory illnesses prevalent in the Gulf, including asthma triggered by environmental factors like dust and allergies, obstructive sleep apnoea linked to obesity, bronchitis following viral infections, and smoking-related issues. Dr Syed Husain, who has more than three decades of clinical experience in the United Kingdom in the National Health Service, delves into the impact viral respiratory infections have on these conditions. The conversation highlights the multifaceted nature of respiratory diseases affecting the lungs and airways. With a specific focus on the Gulf, Dr Husain, who is currently the lead consultant pulmonologist at King’s College Hospital London Dubai with a special interest in interventional pulmonology, emphasises the unique environmental factors influencing the prevalence of respiratory conditions. He touches upon the higher incidence of asthma, attributing it to environmental allergens and atmospheric conditions, presenting a significant deviation from global averages. The episode addresses the increased vulnerability of certain groups, such as asthmatics, diabetics, and individuals with cardiovascular diseases, to severe complications from viral respiratory infections. Dr Husain outlines preventive strategies, including early identification, appropriate testing for influenza, Covid-19, and bacterial infections, and the significance of timely medical intervention.