SIBU, Aug 13 — The haze situation in Sibu remained at an unhealthy level today, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) recorded at 152 as of 4pm, unchanged from Wednesday.
Local pharmacist Juliana Ting said demand for cough and flu medication had surged amid the hazy conditions, although there had been no significant increase in demand for eye medication or inhalers.
“Cough, sore throat, flu, headache and fever are among the common health problems experienced by people during unhealthy haze conditions,” she said when met.
Ting said children, the elderly and people with respiratory illnesses were among those most vulnerable to the effects of haze.
She advised asthma and other respiratory disease patients to continue taking their medication as prescribed, monitor their symptoms closely and seek immediate medical attention if their condition worsened.
“Always bring your inhaler if you are asthmatic, especially when going outside,” she advised.
Ting said symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood and wheezing should not be taken lightly and required immediate medical attention.
For those experiencing cough, sore throat or eye irritation, she advised the public to wear masks, reduce outdoor activities and drink sufficient water to stay hydrated.
She said N95 masks were more suitable for filtering fine particles from haze and offered better protection than ordinary masks.
“However, the mask is not 100 per cent protection against haze. It is important to wear it properly, covering both the nose and mouth,” she said.
Ting also cautioned the public against taking medication without proper advice and stressed the importance of checking for any allergies to the medication.
She advised asthma and lung disease patients to keep a sufficient supply of prescribed medication at home, but warned against purchasing cough medication, antibiotics, steroids or inhalers solely as a preventive measure without assessment by a doctor or pharmacist.
Her advice comes as Sibu continues to experience unhealthy air quality, with the API recorded at 152 at 4pm, underscoring the need for residents to minimise exposure to the haze. — The Borneo Post
