The capital has the highest pollen count in the air compared to other cities. PHOTO: FILE
Mass awareness campaigns to disseminate precautionary measures before the start of the pollen allergy season have not been launched in the capital .
The pollen allergy season usually begins around mid-February and continues till April. According to health experts, there is a dire need to spread awareness about taking precautionary measure before the beginning of the season. The capital has the highest pollen count in the air compared to other cities and the number of pollen allergy patients is increasing with the increase in the number of residents and growth in the number of paper mulberry trees, which add to the urgency of designing a campaign to minimise suffering.
“The most important message which should be communicated is that patients get vaccinated before the season. Getting vaccinated during the season is dangerous and could cause a reaction,” said former head of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) Pulmonology Department Dr Zaman Awan. Awareness campaigns are run during the seasons when a large number of people are already affected by the disease.
Dr Asadullah Nemati, a chest specialist at Pims, said 10 to 15% pollen allergy patients had visited the out-patient department over the past two weeks. Pims used to run an awareness campaigns before the beginning of the season but this year it did not, he stated.
“Precautionary measures like, staying indoors when the pollen concentration is high in the air especially after sunrise and after sunset, keeping windows and doors closed, wearing masks and avoiding areas where there is heavy population of mulberry trees can help.” He urged that if someone experiences symptoms like a sneeze attack, shortness of breath, chest congestion, persistent cough, fever, or swelling on the face, he should see a specialist.
Deputy Commissioner Amir Ali Ahmad said awareness campaigns before the start of the pollen allergy season were of no use. “Islamabad Capital Territory sets up medical camps every year during the peak season which is end of March and April to distribute inhalers and nebulisers among patients who cannot afford them.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2013.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ