Why being young and healthy won’t protect you from the haze choking Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 — We often think of haze as a problem for the vulnerable, such as kids, seniors and asthma sufferers. But prolonged exposure to polluted air can take a serious toll on healthy individuals too.

Universiti Malaya Emergency Medicine senior consultant Prof Datuk Dr Rishya Manikam explained that fine particles in haze can enter the respiratory tract with every breath, increasing the risk of coughs, colds, sore throats and breathing difficulties.

“Just because we’re healthy doesn’t mean the haze won’t affect us. If that’s the perception, it’s wrong,” he said during Bernama TV’s Fokus 15 programme titled “When Every Breath Becomes a Risk”, today.

Dr Rishya said those with pre-existing health conditions such as asthma and chronic lung disease, as well as children, pregnant women and the elderly, feel the effects of air pollution more quickly.

As such, he said that a rise in respiratory symptoms during the haze season should not be treated as normal, as other infections requiring medical examination could also be present.

He advised that symptoms requiring immediate medical attention include shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, breathlessness during activities that would not normally cause fatigue, fever and persistent coughing with phlegm.

“People are advised to monitor the Air Pollutant Index (API) in their area and reduce outdoor activities when pollution levels rise.

“If possible, avoid outdoor activities altogether when the API is high. The more active you are outside, the faster you breathe, and the more particles enter your respiratory tract,” he said.

He also reminded asthma patients to keep their inhaler on hand at all times and urged anyone experiencing worsening symptoms to seek medical attention promptly.  — Bernama