Keep dry to avoid pneumonia and other illnesses during the rainy season

Avoid the rain and towel dry immediately to avoid common diseases during the rainy season, advised doctors from the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP) on Tuesday in a press conference for National Lung Month.

"Keep yourselves dry, 'wag papaulan," PCCP Council on Pulmonary Infections Chairperson Dr. Alberto Nolido Jr. said. "Pagka naulanan na, make sure you dry yourself right away."

Staying away from the cold is important because viruses and bacteria that cause illnesses thrive in wet and cold environments.

"Ang gustong environment ng virus e yung wet and cold environment. Pag wet and cold environment na-expose ang tao, mas prone siya sa viral infections. Kaya mas maraming viral infections 'pag tag-ulan, during the cold season, kasi yun ang gustong-gusto ng virus," Nolido explained.

Announcements regarding the cancellation of classes and other weather warnings should also be taken seriously as constant exposure to the cold can progress a simple cold to dreaded diseases such as pneumonia.

Pneumonia is the second leading cause of morbidity in the Philippines, with the Department of Health reporting 569,122 deaths due to pneumonia and Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in 2013.

Symptoms of pneumonia include cough, fever, which may be mild or high, shaking chills, and shortness of breath or wheezes. Additional symptoms include sharp or stabbing chest pain, headache, excessive sweating and clammy skin, loss of appetite, low energy, fatigue, and confusion, especially in older people.

Treat responsibly

PCCP External Affairs and Council on Tobacco or Health and Air Pollution Chairperson Dr. Imelda Mateo said getting flu vaccine shots yearly and pneumonia shots every five years may be the best and cheapest way to avoid both illnesses.

"You can have it injected to you at hospitals," Mateo said. "Mas mababa ang flu vaccine kasi ang pneumonia is not even every year. Ang flu vaccine is every year, so I think it has a lower price, ang pneumonia medyo mataas ng konti."

Nolido warned patients to avoid antibiotics if they have not been diagnosed with pneumonia as misuse of antibiotics contributes to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), or the ability of viruses and bacteria to combat antibiotic treatment, in the country.

"Indiscriminate use of antibiotics is irresponsible. Dapat 'wag talagang magbigay ng antibiotics. Kung dumadalang na pitong araw, sampung araw yung ubo, dumami yung plema, saka kayo pumunta sa doktor, baka kailangan ng antibiotics," he advised. — LA, GMA News