AS MALAYSIA is once again enveloped in a choking
haze this month, health clinics in Perak are seeing an increase of
patients coming in with haze-related illnesses.
Based on the statistics from the state Health Department’s monitoring of patients seeking treatment at five clinics in Perak, director Datuk Dr Juita Ghazalie said 1,614 patients came in with upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in the first week of October.
“For conjunctivitis, 100 patients came in, while 169 more sought treatment for asthma attacks.
“This shows an increase in comparison to the figures in the last week of September, where we recorded 1,499 patients for URTI, 63 for conjunctivitis, and 153 for asthma,” she said.
URTI is a common viral infection that affects the nose, throat and
airways and its symptoms usually include a scratchy or sore throat,
sneezing, stuffy nose and coughing.
Some may also experience fatigue or fever, pain in the sinuses, and irritation of tonsils.
Dr Juita urged all parties to avoid organising outdoor events and activities as the five clinics located in different areas of Perak are currently showing unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of Oct 17.
These areas are Jalan Tasek, Ipoh at 136, Kg Air Putih, Taiping at 115, SK Jln Pegoh, Ipoh at 145, Seri Manjung at 114 and Tanjung Malim at 122.
“If outdoor activities have been planned in advance before the haze, it is advisable to postpone or cancel them entirely until the readings improve to below 100.
“Should one persist in carrying on with their activities or events, please have them indoors instead,” she said.
Dr Juita also advised the public to continue taking preventive measures to reduce the negative effects of the haze, which includes using masks and reducing physical activities outdoors.
“Ensure that air in the house or building is clean by reducing the sources of indoor pollution like cigarette smoke, and if you are able to, use air conditioners and air purifiers at home.
“This is because an efficient air filtering system can block out most of the fine particles associated with smoke and reduce the amount of air pollution from outside the house.
“Drink plenty of plain water, at least eight glasses a day, and always remember to wash your hands and face with soap and water after being outdoors,” she said.
Dr Juita added that those who show symptoms such as coughing, colds, asthma, sore eyes, and lung infection should visit a clinic as soon as possible before it worsens.
At the Bercham 1Malaysia Clinic, Kinta district assistant medical officer Zamri Shaari said, out of an average of 200 patients visiting the clinic every day since July, almost 70% of them were suffering from URTI.
“Asthma patients, who usually suffer an attack once every three months, are getting them as frequently as a few times a week now.
“Sometimes, some of our patients also suffer from dry eyes as a result of the haze,” he said.
Asked if there is a shortage of URTI medication at the clinic due to this, Zamri said no, as the clinic already expected to receive a high volume of patients every day.
“Before the haze, colds, coughs and sore throats were also among some of the most common ailments suffered by our patients,” he said.
As for the 1Malaysia Clinic in Station 18, a spokesman from the clinic said they are still receiving a consistent amount of patients coming in with URTI before and after the haze.
“From January to March this year, around 60% of their patients suffered from URTI, while the percentage remained the same from July to September,” said the spokesman.
Meanwhile, Perak Chest Society president Dr Leong Oon Keong said for the last three months, many of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients at his specialist clinic have been attributing their worsening symptoms to the haze.
“These worsening symptoms, known as exacerbation, will cause shortness of breath and change in quantity and colour of phlegm.
“Although it is triggered by bacteria or viruses, it can be brought on by environmental pollutants too, like the severe haze,” he said.
For asthma patients, Dr Leong advises them to download the society’s AsthmaMD app on smartphones to aid them in their asthma action plan as well as to track asthma triggers like allergies, pollens, pollutants and more.
“This app is very handy because by helping patients to keep a journal of their asthma, they can handle their condition well enough on self-medication without needing to visit the doctors,” he said.
Based on the statistics from the state Health Department’s monitoring of patients seeking treatment at five clinics in Perak, director Datuk Dr Juita Ghazalie said 1,614 patients came in with upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in the first week of October.
“For conjunctivitis, 100 patients came in, while 169 more sought treatment for asthma attacks.
“This shows an increase in comparison to the figures in the last week of September, where we recorded 1,499 patients for URTI, 63 for conjunctivitis, and 153 for asthma,” she said.
Some may also experience fatigue or fever, pain in the sinuses, and irritation of tonsils.
Dr Juita urged all parties to avoid organising outdoor events and activities as the five clinics located in different areas of Perak are currently showing unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of Oct 17.
These areas are Jalan Tasek, Ipoh at 136, Kg Air Putih, Taiping at 115, SK Jln Pegoh, Ipoh at 145, Seri Manjung at 114 and Tanjung Malim at 122.
“If outdoor activities have been planned in advance before the haze, it is advisable to postpone or cancel them entirely until the readings improve to below 100.
“Should one persist in carrying on with their activities or events, please have them indoors instead,” she said.
Dr Juita also advised the public to continue taking preventive measures to reduce the negative effects of the haze, which includes using masks and reducing physical activities outdoors.
“Ensure that air in the house or building is clean by reducing the sources of indoor pollution like cigarette smoke, and if you are able to, use air conditioners and air purifiers at home.
“This is because an efficient air filtering system can block out most of the fine particles associated with smoke and reduce the amount of air pollution from outside the house.
“Drink plenty of plain water, at least eight glasses a day, and always remember to wash your hands and face with soap and water after being outdoors,” she said.
Dr Juita added that those who show symptoms such as coughing, colds, asthma, sore eyes, and lung infection should visit a clinic as soon as possible before it worsens.
At the Bercham 1Malaysia Clinic, Kinta district assistant medical officer Zamri Shaari said, out of an average of 200 patients visiting the clinic every day since July, almost 70% of them were suffering from URTI.
“Asthma patients, who usually suffer an attack once every three months, are getting them as frequently as a few times a week now.
“Sometimes, some of our patients also suffer from dry eyes as a result of the haze,” he said.
Asked if there is a shortage of URTI medication at the clinic due to this, Zamri said no, as the clinic already expected to receive a high volume of patients every day.
“Before the haze, colds, coughs and sore throats were also among some of the most common ailments suffered by our patients,” he said.
As for the 1Malaysia Clinic in Station 18, a spokesman from the clinic said they are still receiving a consistent amount of patients coming in with URTI before and after the haze.
“From January to March this year, around 60% of their patients suffered from URTI, while the percentage remained the same from July to September,” said the spokesman.
Meanwhile, Perak Chest Society president Dr Leong Oon Keong said for the last three months, many of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients at his specialist clinic have been attributing their worsening symptoms to the haze.
“These worsening symptoms, known as exacerbation, will cause shortness of breath and change in quantity and colour of phlegm.
“Although it is triggered by bacteria or viruses, it can be brought on by environmental pollutants too, like the severe haze,” he said.
For asthma patients, Dr Leong advises them to download the society’s AsthmaMD app on smartphones to aid them in their asthma action plan as well as to track asthma triggers like allergies, pollens, pollutants and more.
“This app is very handy because by helping patients to keep a journal of their asthma, they can handle their condition well enough on self-medication without needing to visit the doctors,” he said.
