Getting flu and pneumonia shots would eliminate the rise of flu-like diseases suffered by Filipinos during this cold weather, according to an expert.
“Sa loob [kasi] ng tatlong taon marami satin ang hindi nakapag flu shots at pneumonia shots. Alam naman natin ang immune system inaatake yan ng virus at ng bacteria kapag mahina ang katawan natin,” health reform advocate Dr. Tony Leachon told DZRH.
“Since after the pandemic marami sa atin ang merong non-communicable dieases, yan ang natatamaan,” he added.
Leachon also underscored the effect of pollution on a person’s health, citing the recent smog issue that was flagged as caused by motor vehicles.
“Tingin ko dala rin yan ng ating pollution. Kaya ang dami ngayong merong non-Covid o respiratory tract infection pero not necessitating hospitalization. Ang mga nao-hospital ay yung mga vulnerable na pasyente,” the health expert said.
Leachon clarified that more than getting flu and pneumonia shots as the months of October to December mark the “flu season” following the clusters of people, it was crucial to recall the primary measures used during the pandemic.
“Babalik tayo sa basics ng ating pagf-facemask at yung basic measures na ginamint natin during the pandemic. Yung washing of hands, yung distancing. Ngayon yung indooor quality ng bahay natin at ventilation inaayos natin.” he said.
He also noted that flu tends to take a toll on immunocompromised individuals.
“Ang flu kasi at pneumonia inaatake niyan [kung] sinong may hypertension, diabetes, asthma, sila yung nadadali. Yung mga admissions ngayon napapansin ko ay yung mga may edad,” he added.
But for people who were yet to have their shots, Leachon said there were other solutions to ease the flu symptoms.
“Una muna pag may respitaroy tract infection, iru-rule out muna natin ang covid. Kasi kung Covid at kayo ay vulnerable, mag-antiviral drug kayo. Now kung negative kayo then you have to bed rest, isolate pa rin, inom ng maraming tubig, vitamin c, and then [eat] fruits. Then after that magpa-flu shots ka na,” he said.
Exercising and basking under the sun would also strengthen one’s immune system against diseases, according to Leachon.
“Ang foundation ng energy ng tao nasa physical enery eh. Isa sa pinakamalakas na mag-protect ng tao ay pagpapawis at pag-expose sa araw. Pag hindi ka nakapag-exercise marami sa mga tao ang sakitin kaya yan ang dapat nating gawin sa ngayon para patibayin ang ating resistensya,” he added.
The Department of Health (DOH) earlier stated that flu-like illnesses have increased to 45 percent compared to last year’s with about 151,375 cases to date from October 9 to 13.
