Dagupan health office advises wearing of face mask as respiratory infections rise

The Dagupan City health office has recommended to residents the wearing of face masks following the increasing number of people getting coughs and colds.

Dr. Ophelia Rivera of the Dagupan City health office said the rise in respiratory tract infections could be attributed to the changing weather, based on an Unang Balita report of CJ Torida from GMA Regional TV.

“Paano maiwasan? Mag-mask na lang po tayo… Mag-mask na lang para may proteksyon,” the doctor said.

(We can prevent this by wearing face masks. Face masks can give us protection.)

Aside from acute respiratory tract infections, many people were also reportedly suffering from hypertension and gastroenteritis.

The health professional advised people to drink lots of water, take vitamins, and get enough rest.

She also asked cases to seek medical check up if their symptoms get worse or haven’t gone away after two weeks.

“‘Yung ubo’t sipon usually is viral… Pero ‘yung iba, tumatagal ang ubo nila ng one week na, ipa-check up na po,” Rivera added.

(Coughs and colds are usually viral. But for some people, their symptoms last for one week, so they should get checked.)

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier this month also advised the public, especially the vulnerable groups, to take caution and practice respiratory etiquette this Amihan season even as the cases of influenza-like illness (ILIs) nationwide decreased in the past weeks.

The DOH reiterated that respiratory conditions such as allergies or respiratory infections may increase during the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan season due to cooler weather.

In total, 179,227 ILI cases were logged in the country throughout 2024, which was 17% lower than the 216,786 cases in 2023. — Giselle Ombay/RSJ, GMA Integrated News