Browsing: Respiratory

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) poses significant health risks for senior citizens, particularly those with weakened immune systems. According to Dr. Rontgene Solante, president of the Philippine College of Physicians, RSV can lead to severe respiratory infections, especially in older adults. During a media panel in Taguig City, he emphasised that one out of three elderly patients hospitalised due to RSV may die within a year after discharge. This alarming statistic underscores the need for increased awareness and preventive measures.

Jakarta, a bustling metropolis marking its 497th anniversary, was overshadowed by a pressing concern: its deteriorating air quality. 

On June 8, 2024, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported a significant rise in sulfur dioxide emissions from Kanlaon Volcano, reaching 4,397 tons per day. This elevated level of emissions signals heightened volcanic activity, necessitating Alert Level 2. This warning highlights potential explosive eruptions and restricts access to the volcano’s 4-kilometer radius.

The Department of Health confirms the first vaping-related death in the Philippines, highlighting serious health risks and sparking urgent discussions on stricter e-cigarette regulations. Health experts and advocates call for comprehensive measures to protect the youth from vaping-related illnesses and prevent further tragedies.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) remains vigilant as it monitors the activity of Kanlaon Volcano, situated in the province of Negros Occidental. Recent observations suggest increased volcanic activity, prompting consideration of raising the alert level from its current status to level 3. 

As Bhai Kaba fights pneumonia in the ICU, unity and support spread across online and offline communities. Zaskia Adya Mecca’s bravery in sharing her story ignites a vital discussion on an often overlooked public health issue. Collaboration among healthcare professionals and government officials is imperative.

A tragic gas poisoning incident occurred in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya where four individuals lost their lives due to the accidental release of toxic gas during an unauthorised excavation.  The victims included three individuals who were initially involved in the digging operation and a barangay council member who attempted to rescue them.

The vape and e-cigarette industry’s expansion into the Philippines, with aspirations to establish the country as a manufacturing hub for these products, has sparked concern among medical professionals. This trajectory, they warn, carries the ominous potential of fostering an epidemic of EVALI, or e-cigarette or vape-associated lung injury, particularly among the nation’s youth.

The Quezon City government has officially declared an outbreak of pertussis, commonly known as “whooping cough,” due to a significant increase in reported cases of the respiratory disease. 

In a noteworthy stride towards confronting the burgeoning threats posed by climate change on public health, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the Department of Health (DOH) are intensifying their collaborative efforts.