BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- The City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU)  cautions  the public against respiratory ailments as the cold season approaches.
 
CESU Head Dr. Donnabel T. Panes  reported  during the Ugnayan Panlungsod forum   the  significant  increase of influenza-like illness(ILI)  in  the past four  weeks.
 

ILI  is a respiratory illness characterized by   fever, fatigue, and cough or sore throat.

 Panes reported that for the period August to September,  the total number of admitted cases of Pneumonia in the hospitals has increased to  84 percent, from 134 in August  to 246 in  September.  There are   already 77 cases reported this month. The  increase is  noted among  the  pediatric age group.
 

ILI  tends to increase  during the  cold  season  for various reasons.  When its cold,  people tend to stay indoor most of the time so transmission would increase, and  when temperature drops, our immune system is not functioning optimally, Dr. Panes explained.
 
She advised the public to get flu shots.   Flu vaccines  are available at the City Health Services Office,  however, supply  is  limited and priority is being given to health workers, senior citizens and persons with co-morbidities.
 
She assured that flu vaccines are very much available, and for those who cannot avail the free vaccines they can visit their family physicians and pay for it.
 
Dr. Panes reminded the public to still wear mask especially if they have symptoms, and if they go to crowded places such as hospitals and  classrooms.  People who are sick should stay home, get some rest, and stay hydrated,  and  practice handwashing. 
 
 Panes  also reported that  vector-borne diseases such as dengue and zoonotic disease called leptospirosis  are   still around  as it is still raining in some  parts of the region.
 
She also cautioned  on the increase cases of conjunctivitis or sore eyes in schools, which  most often  is caused by  viral infection, although it may also be a result of bacterial infection. She stressed the importance of frequent handwashing, personal hygiene to prevent the spread of infection.

Panes called on school administrators to report cases of sore eyes to CESU so that they will be recorded and be given assistance. (JDP/MAWC-PIA-CAR)