Flu symptoms are more common these days, but there's a sulit, multi-benefit solution for them!

While the country has officially gone past the flu season—which usually takes place in the chilliest months of the year—one can never be too complacent. With summer fast approaching, we still have to watch out for symptoms associated with having the flu: sniffles, sneezes, headaches, and fevers, plus a few body aches here and there. And because the flu shares many symptoms with COVID-19, catching the former also means that the average Pinoy will have a little less peace of mind.

 

In short, flu symptoms aren’t just more common these days—they’re also a lot heavier to deal with. 

 

That’s why it’s generally a good idea to get tested for COVID-19 in case one experiences flu symptoms. In the event that it’s confirmed to be COVID-19, one can start practicing the necessary isolation and treatment protocols. 

 

On the other hand, if that cough turns out to be a symptom of the flu, it isn’t enough to stop at the negative COVID-19 results. Flu symptoms still need to be treated ASAP, as they may lead to more serious health complications. 

 

When a cold or flu creates a blockage in the sinuses, for example, this can trap bacteria and viruses inside through the mucus. A bad enough infection can lead to sinusitis, which in turn causes severe headaches, fever, facial pain. 

The fluid buildup from the flu can also cause bacteria or viruses to infect the space behind the eardrums, leading to a painful ear infection. In people with asthma, flu symptoms can trigger asthmatic attacks, or cause difficulty breathing among people without asthma. 

Flu symptoms could also make it more difficult to sleep. Studies have found that a lack of sleep can have a negative effect on the immune system, making someone more vulnerable to different illnesses. 

 

Given how important it is to immediately treat flu symptoms, medication for these symptoms is a must- have during the country’s flu season. For many Filipinos, the ideal fix is to have a multi-benefit solution like Phenylephrine HCl Chlorphenamine Maleate Paracetamol (BIOFLU) at home. 

Unlike other medications that address only one or two flu symptoms, Phenylephrine HCl Chlorphenamine Maleate Paracetamol (BIOFLU) is specially formulated to provide relief for all common flu symptoms. It helps relieve fever, colds, clogged noses, sneezing, headaches, body aches, joint pain, chills, sore throat, and cough due to post-nasal drip. It can also help reduce itching in the eyes and treat a runny nose. 

 

Its formula was also created to treat the symptoms of other ailments like allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, making it a valuable multi-purpose medication for every household. At just PHP7.50 SRP per tablet, it’s also one of the most sulit solutions available to Pinoys. The medication provides relief for multiple illnesses and prevents complications from their symptoms at a cost cheaper than a cup of coffee.

 

And because a lot of the symptoms that it treats are also common side effects from COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, the medication has also proven to be helpful for people who need to get back to work soon after getting their shots. 

 

With flu season in full swing and a pandemic still hitting Pinoys where it hurts, it’s always good to keep medication handy that can help people bounce back more easily from the symptoms. When it’s a multi- benefit solution, it’s more than just helpful—it’s sulit.

 

Let's enforce #LysolOClock habits all day to keep us protected from Omicron's threat!

Omicron’s entry to the Philippines has left the country shocked after the holidays. Reaching over 32,000 daily confirmed cases, a positivity rate of 46%, and only around 49% of the total population being fully vaccinated- the everyday fear and paranoia of contracting COVID-19 has also reached all time highs.

Filipinos can be assured that they are not alone as Lysol joins them in battling this new health scare head on. Proven to kill over 100 illness-causing germs including COVID-19 virus and its Omicron variant, along with being the Most Philippine Pediatrician Recommended Disinfectant Brand, Lysol is here as the gold standard of disinfection to help Filipinos in this tough time.

 

To help curb the spread of the virus, Lysol recommends that Filipinos continue to practice their time and tested hygiene habits as part of their daily lives. It’s “Lysol O’ Clock!” - reminding everyone that there is still much to overcome when it comes to the virus, and that it’s best to always keep their guards up by practicing hygiene habits at home thoroughly and consistently.  With the presence of the Omicron variant, Filipinos must keep their tested disinfection habits, especially in key disinfection moments like the ones below wherein everyone should be thinking “It’s Lysol O’ Clock!”

But as important as it is to stay protected particularly in key disinfection moments- the transmission rate of Omicron is the strongest yet. Given that, we must go beyond these key moments and ensure we integrate #LysolOClock habits all day to truly level our family’s protection with the level of Omicron’s threat. Below are #LysolOClock habits to practice all day:

Many Filipinos continue to experience dread, anxiety, stress, and even panic with the Omicron variant around. But if every Filipino practices these #LysolOClock habits and stick to them in their daily lives, the country will almost certainly power through this tough time. Remember- it’s always #LysolOClock! 

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) released interim guidance including home-based care of patients with mild or moderate COVID-19

"Most NCR hospitals at a critical stage," "Mindanao hospitals run out of COVID-19 beds," "Patients treated in vehicles as hospitals are now full; other facilities also reach full capacity." 

 

These are the looming scenarios we hear on the news every day. With the highest daily COVID-19 infection recorded by authorities, aggravated by lack of resources and fundings, hospitals are pushed to ask patients to seek healthcare services elsewhere.

 

On the lighter side, most of these recorded cases are asymptomatic, or patients with mild symptoms typically last about 7-10 days. It includes:

 

·       Flu-like symptoms

·       Dry cough

·       Mild fever

·       May lose a sense of smell or taste

·       Tiredness, muscle aches, or a headache

·       Sore throat or runny nose in some cases

 

While a COVID-probable person might not get medical service in healthcare facilities, the World Health Organization (WHO) released interim guidance including home-based care of patients with mild or moderate COVID-19.

Here are some ways to care for someone at home or in a non-healthcare setting.

 

Talk to a doctor thru teleconsultation or home-service consult.

If one or more of the COVID-19 symptoms are present, it is advised to book a consultation with a physician immediately. The good thing is local government units have health offices that provide free teleconsultations and swab tests. Some private clinics are also offering home-service consultations so you can be attended at home. Talking to a healthcare person gives you the proper ways to manage your symptoms effectively.

 

Take your medicines and vitamins as prescribed.

After a consultation, your doctor will give you prescription medicines to treat your COVID-19 symptoms. Your doctor will also provide you with a list of supplements you can take to support your immune system.

 

One medicine your doctor will probably prescribe you is the Erdosteine Ectrin. It is a mucolytic that is indicated for the treatment of both acute and chronic bronchitis. In the latest Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine 2020 Journal, Professor Pierachille Santus authored a study that resulted in an overall improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) amongst hospitalized patients with Covid-19 related pneumonia and severe respiratory failure, with the addition of erdosteine to usual therapy. 

 

As the positive demand for this medication arises, Orient EuroPharma Philippines answered this call. They donated Erdosteine Ectrin medicines to treat 500 post-covid patients Veterans Memorial Medical Center and Quirino Memorial Medical Center--the government COVID centers in Metro Manila. It is in OEPP’s fulfillment of its mission in helping the country and supporting the Filipino patients who are suffering from this deadly disease.

 

Have a separate room in your house.

COVID patients undergo a 14-day quarantine. So, it is a must to give the patient an isolated room for treatment. The room must be well-ventilated and equipped with groceries and basic medical equipment such as a thermometer, oximeter, alcohol, and facemask. If possible, provide the patient a separate bathroom. If a second bathroom is not feasible, disinfect the bathroom for every use.

 

Keep yourself hydrated and well-rested.

On top of the medications, COVID patients must drink a lot of water and get enough rest to help their bodies recover quickly. Provide them a supply of clean drinking water in their isolation room for easy access.

 

Practice hygiene and proper waste management at home.

Regular cleaning of the house is a must. Disinfect every table, doorknobs, floor, and every surface of the house with disinfectants or 70% alcohol. Handwashing and wearing of face masks must be practiced regularly as well. Waste from the COVID patients must be disinfected and wrapped securely before disposal.

 

Maintain emotional support from loved ones.

Reading a ‘positive’ note on your result is stressful. Isolating is worse. Therefore, it is advised to maintain emotional support from friends and family to lessen the patient's emotional stress. While you can’t physically comfort them, social media and video calls can be a helpful way to communicate your comfort and care. Entertainment media can also cope with their boredom.

 

Monitor the condition regularly.

Lastly is to monitor the patient’s condition regularly. Have their doctor’s contact number on hand and seek emergency care if experiencing a worsening condition such as trouble breathing, pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to stay awake, and blue-colored skin, lips, or nails.

 

For COVID-related prescription medicines, nutricare, and other health breakthroughs, visit Orient EuroPharma Philippines at https://www.oepgroup.com.

 

FWD Life Insurance announces the inclusion of COVID-19-related coverage reward through affordable and digitally accessible insurance plans

FWD Life Insurance announced the inclusion of COVID-19-related coverage reward through affordable and digitally accessible insurance plans that provide life, accident and critical illness protection. In partnership with Pacific Cross Insurance, the reward covers in-patient treatment of diagnosed COVID-19 illness or complications from COVID-19 vaccinations.

The reward comes with every new purchase of FWD Life Insurance’s KanMend, KanLive, KanGuard or a combination of all three in one protection plan. Customers can claim their cash rewards amounting from PhP30k to PhP90k regardless of their hospital bills from confinement for COVID-19 or vaccination complications. The benefit is on top of their Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and other health plans.

 

“We constantly look to innovate our products and services with the goal to meet current needs and conditions with our vision of changing the way people feel about insurance. We’re here to help them prepare for any eventuality that the pandemic may cause so they can continue to celebrate living with their loved ones,” said Li Hao Zhuang, President and CEO of FWD Life Insurance. 

The reward comes at an opportune time when the virus continues to mutate in spite of ongoing global vaccination efforts. FWD Life Insurance designed it in such a way that customers can purchase their preferred plan conveniently and easily through the online insurance shop without needing to go through underwriting or submitting medical history. 

 

KanMend is a starter critical illness coverage plan that protects against 42 critical illnesses like cancer, heart disease or meningitis. It comes with six months of free tele-medicine service from KonsultaMD. KanLive is a life protection plan that provides beneficiaries with financial support in case of the insured’s death. It comes with one year of unlimited medical consultation at Aventus Medical, Inc. clinics nationwide. KanGuard is an accident insurance plan that provides cash benefit in case of the insured’s death, or total and permanent disability from accident anywhere in the world. It comes with one-year global emergency services via Assist America.

 

KanMend, KanLive and KanGuard are available at FWD Life Insurance’s online store, shop.fwd.com.ph.

5 Facts and Fallacies on Vaccines

Vaccines have been around for a while, but an age-old debate has resurfaced along with the availability of those that address COVID-19. Are they safe and effective?

 

AXA, one of the Philippines’ leading insurance providers, takes a closer look at the myths and misconceptions, as well as the hard facts, which can help you decide if vaccines, indeed, do the job they’re intended for.

 

Myth 1: Vaccines can make a person sick.

Fact: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you can’t get sick when administered with a vaccine. However, some people can experience mild side effects, such as soreness on the part of the body where the vaccine was injected. Such side effects disappear quickly, and more serious side effects are not common.

 

Myth 2: Vaccines can cause the very disease it aims to address.

Fact: It is unlikely that a vaccine can cause a disease to develop, but certain individuals may not reach the needed immunity level from the vaccine to fight the disease. Like most medicines, some vaccines aren’t 100% effective and people react to it differently, affecting its efficacy, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This doesn’t mean that a vaccine isn’t safe or effective or is a catalyst for the disease. It only shows that a few may not respond to it as well as others, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma &Immunology (AAAAI).

 

Myth 3: It is better to get natural immunity from a disease than get it from a vaccine.

Fact: Without being vaccinated, your body may build immunity from natural infection, but you also put yourself at risk for serious complications and even death. For example, when you don’t get your child vaccinated for Hib (Haemophilus influenza type b), this may cause intellectual disability. Without getting vaccinated for measles, this may lead to death, according to WHO.

 

The same is true with the COVID-19 vaccine that has been hotly debated recently. Without getting vaccinated, it may lead to hospitalization or death. According to the CDC, you may also develop what is called “long-COVID,” where you may experience the chronic symptoms associated with the disease, like headaches or shortness of breath-.      

 

Myth 4: COVID-19 vaccines can give you the disease or may have serious side effects.

Fact: COVID-19 vaccines are designed to build immunity against the disease by using weakened or killed SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19. As for the adverse effects, there are some mild or short-term effects associated with these vaccines, such as fever, headaches, or body aches, which signal that the vaccine is working to build your immune system against the disease, according to the Cleveland Clinic in the U.S. However, it is recommended that you consult a doctor if you have allergies or any other pre-existing medical condition to assess your risk.

 

Myth 5: You get immunity for life when vaccinated against COVID-19.

Fact: According to the CDC, it’s still early to tell if a shot or two of the COVID-19 vaccine can give you life immunity. Studies continue to be conducted on a regular basis to check for its long-lasting effects, and formulas continue to be adjusted to develop immunity against other strains or variants of the disease.

 

Immunity against certain diseases doesn’t happen overnight, but research has shown that vaccines effectively provide protection against some of life’s most dreaded diseases. For critical illnesses that you may encounter as you get older, the best way to safeguard your health against them is to get protected as early as now.

 

The best way to do this is to get yourself a health insurance plan like AXA’s Global Health Access, which offers customers the best access to healthcare services here and abroad.

“Aside from the threats of COVID-19, critical illnesses like cancer, stroke, and heart attack remain in our midst, so we should also protect ourselves against them. With Global Health Access, it is easier for policyholders to avail of medical care wherever they are in the world through our partnership with over 1,400 hospitals and clinics locally and over 9,000 hospitals worldwide,” says Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer of AXA Philippines.

Global Health Access policyholders can now reimburse COVID-19 vaccine costs up to P5,000 and other eligible home care expenses, boosting the confidence of our customers in these challenging times. See herethe full details of the coverage.

Global Health Access also includes coverage for epidemic and pandemic diseases like COVID-19, allowing customers to get comprehensive treatment for such illnesses, on top of other top-tier health benefits, such as up to P175 million coverage for inpatient and outpatients treatments and executive health checkups of up to P20,000 per year. Moreover, the health plan allows cashless payments, which makes it more convenient for customers these days due to the ongoing pandemic.

When it comes to health, it’s always better to boost your protection. To know more about Global Health Access, visit www.axa.com.ph/health-protection/global-health-access

Getting a vaccine is a pathway back to normalcy

Getting the vaccine as soon as its available to you and your family is vital for everyone's protection. 

As we wanted to stop the virus from spreading, the only thing that we could do for the moment is to stay at home and disinfect everything. Do our business online as we wait for the vaccine. 

As government mulls extending the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the so-called NCR Plus bubble until April 18 to slow down the spread of COVID-19, the rollout of vaccines must also be accelerated to help jumpstart a laggard economy.

According to BDO Unibank chief investment officer Frederico Rafael "Fritz" D. Ocampo, it is imperative that these two things be implemented for things to get back to normal.

"The pandemic is a public health issue, and so everybody wants to reopen the economy. Everybody wants to get back to normal. But the main issue is controlling the COVID spread and accelerating the vaccine rollout. Unless we're able to do these two top of mind and priority issues, then all of our dreams of getting back to normal will remain just a dream," he said in an interview with CNN Philippines. "What we have learned during the past year is when you have prolonged mobility restrictions, especially when you have a total lockdown of the economy, it just creates a lot of unemployed people and we tend to worsen the problem."

 

Ocampo also lamented the unenviable task facing the government right now amid the continuous surge of COVID-19 cases.

"It's a major challenge. The balancing act that you have to do right now is saving lives against saving jobs or saving the economy," he added. "We have to contain COVID and we have to accelerate the delivery of vaccines and start rolling them out in a more aggressive way. The sooner we do that, then the better it will be for our recovery, our reopening of the Philippine economy." 

 

According to OCTA Research, the number of COVID-19 cases is expected to continue to surge for the next couple of weeks despite the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases' decision to place NCR Plus (Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal) under a general community quarantine bubble from March 22 to April 4.

 

Under the ECQ bubble, travel to and from Metro Manila and the four adjacent provinces is not allowed unless deemed as essential. These areas were also placed under a 10PM-5AM curfew. With these restrictions, the government hopes this will result to lesser increase in COVID-19 cases.

On March 29, the Philippines recorded 10,016 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the total count of newly-confirmed infections to 731,894, of which 115,495 are active cases.

To help jumpstart the economy, Ocampo opined the recovery of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) must likewise be one of the priorities. 

 

"The proposed ARISE (Accelerated Recovery and Investments Stimulus for the Economy of the Philippines) bill is still in the backburner. The longer we prolong the pain of the MSMEs, the more people will lose their jobs. The scarring could be permanent," he said.

The ARISE Bill, passed by the House of Representatives in third and final reading last year seeks to extend support to micro, small, and medium enterprises and other sectors affected by the pandemic

 

"We cannot talk yet of how they (MSMEs) are rebuilding because they're still in pain. More and more companies have declared downsizing this late in the game. They need assistance and they need it now. If we assist them, they they'll hire their old workers back again. And these workers will consume, and that's what we need. We are a service-driven economy," Ocampo added. # # #

 

BDO chief investment officer Frederico Rafael "Fritz" D. Ocampo (right) talks with Rico Hizon of CNN Philippines.

Silka takes care of our skin so we can still look and feel good as we face more stressful times ahead

We’ve been dealing with coronavirus for months, and while we already have a vaccine, I don’t think we’d have access to it anytime soon. The social, financial, psychological and physical stressors surrounding the pandemic have been challenging in many ways and self-care really matters especially during these difficult times.

 

It’s time to take care of yourself. Practicing self-care can help you and your family be better equipped to get through this time together. Exercise, good nutrition, quality sleep and even proper skin care are all helpful things for both your mental and physical health. 

 

With the holiday season upon us, we all look forward to spending it with our loved ones. Let’s keep the habit of self-care, just families take care of each other, Silka takes care of our skin so we can still look and feel confident as we face more stressful times ahead.

"Magparamdam ka naman" ["Let us know how you're doing"] captures the Pinoy yearning: we want to reach out and be with the ones we care about. And families have a history of caring for each other, of being together through tough times and through whatever means - a yearning not even a pandemic can diminish.

In the latest Silka Papaya video, a large family is about to come together for Christmas. With a Christmas tree behind him, the Grandfather finishes setting up the dinner table. He calls out to his wife, if she's ready. The Grandmother comes with a bottle of Silka lotion, rubs some on both her hands (to look fresh for the family picture, she says). She wonders out loud if the rest of the family are ready. Cut to the mother in the bedroom rubbing Silka lotion on her leg. She gently hollers the same are-you-ready question. Cut to the bathroom, where Millie, her daughter, hollers back, while applying Silka deodorant on her underarm: "Almost done, Mom". 

The mother then knocks on the bathroom door, and the Dad answers, already feeling refreshed while still showering with Silka soap: "Mabilis na lang." Cut to a newly-wed couple's conversation: the husband is all set and gently tells his wife, "Lika, baba na tayo." She answers, while applying Silka Facial Cleanser with a cotton ball, "Patapos na" This must be a big house, the viewer is thinking, because we're seeing members of a big family getting together on Christmas Day. 

The Grandfather takes his seat on the dinner table, and compliments Millie, who turns to face her Lolo. "Kaya paborito ko po kayong Lolo eh," she says. Then the Grandfather notices that only Anna, a nurse, is missing from, we are led to believe, the dinner table (which is never shown in full). Cut to Anna, who, while washing her hands with Silka soap, says, "Ok, Dad, palabas na." So, she must be the bunso and has siblings in both of the two couples earlier shown (who should be with the Grandparents by now). 

Nurse Anna sits down and says, "Ok, guys, game? 1, 2, 3." The family picture is "taken" - screenshots of the members of the video conference call are shown, while merry Christmas music plays in the background. Turns out this was indeed a big family, and a gathering still, despite not being face to face. Family alaga knows no distance. 

You can watch the full video here.

Like these three generations of families keeping to their habit of self-care (pag-aalaga), Silka has been creating and making available affordable lines of effective products to help Filipino families achieve a glowing complexion and smoother skin. Their skincare line includes soap, lotion, facial cleanser, deodorant, body wash, and pearl creme. Since 2001 (nearly 20 years), Silka has been helping Filipinos achieve the kind of care (alaga) they long for. 

There's an emotional tug to the video: the holidays are when families get together, and that's made all the more difficult because of the social distancing necessitated by Covid-19 restrictions. But you don't get the feel that the families are settling for less with a video conference call - in fact they're still as lively as they would have been had they'd been face to face. 

The video's voice over ending is apt: "Naiba man ang takbo ng buhay, natural lang na ipadama sa isa't-isa ang alaga nating nandyan para sa kanila. Maalagang pasko mula sa Silka.”

Families take care of each other just as Silka takes care of you. If you want to experience a Maalagang Pasko with Silka, check out their products on Shopee (https://shopee.ph/mall/search?keyword=papaya&shop=27653726) and visit the official Silka Skincare Store on Lazada (https://www.lazada.com.ph/silka-skincare-store/?q=papaya&langFlag=en&from=wangpu&lang=en&pageTypeId=2&spm=a2o4l.10450891.searchbar.0). 

Don’t forget to follow @SilkaSkinCare on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok.

 

Health lessons to learn from the pandemic

The global health crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic caught the world by surprise. With everyone at risk, it just proves that this life-threatening virus knows no borders, age, gender, or race. Yet, it has also put forth important health lessons that AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, wants to help everyone realize:

Don’t delay taking care of your health. For many people, it’s easy to push their bodies to their limit day after day with nonstop work and unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking. However, all these might catch up with them, putting them at risk for life-threatening diseases such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and many more. With this, one shouldn’t procrastinate on taking care of his/her health. Start developing clean and healthy habits now like exercising at least 30 minutes a day, eating healthy, consuming enough water, and getting enough sleep. 

A health plan can protect you and your loved ones. Health problems can happen unexpectedly and medical expenses can become costly. That’s why it’s highly beneficial for an individual and his/her loved one to have a health plan to support them in case of medical emergencies. Some insurance policies can be bought directly online from the safety of your home. A good example of this is AXA Philippines’ Health Start Lite which can be purchased by simply logging on to https://www.axa.com.ph/healthstartlite/. This innovative insurance product provides policyholders and their loved ones with affordable health insurance coverage for the top three illnesses which are cancer, heart attack and stroke. Health Start Lite is available for a minimum monthly payment as low as P535 and with coverage options of P1 million, P1.5 million and P2 million for the top 3 critical illnesses. Policyholders can also avail of free teleconsultation 24/7 with AXA’s partner MyPocketDoctor from the safety of their homes, as a value-added service.

Find ways to promote physical and mental well-being. Amid these trying times, it’s important to find ways to improve one’s physical and mental well-being. One of the most effective ways to do so is through exercise. Studies show that sweating it out releases endorphins that trigger feelings of joy, contentment, and delight. Exercising regularly is one of the best ways to relieve stress and regulate emotions.

Sunlight impacts overall well-being. There’s truth to the expression “sunny disposition.” Sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D which modulates cell growth and aids in reducing inflammation. Even just five to 15 minutes of sunlight a few times a week will make a difference. Getting some sun also increases serotonin, which is believed to regulate mood and social behavior.

Good personal hygiene for better health. The ongoing pandemic has taught us to be more mindful of our hygiene. Now, we’re strongly encouraged to wash our hands regularly, take a bath every day, and wear protective gear when going out. Pandemic or not, good personal hygiene lowers one’s risk for diseases and illnesses related to viruses and bacteria. Having good hygiene is also key to preventing infection when wounds or skin irritations are present.

Now more than ever, it’s important to put your health first. Remembering these health lessons from AXA Philippines can be a good place to start. To know more about Health Start Lite, visit www.axa.com.ph. 

 

Visiting a doctor amid pandemic: If symptoms persist, don’t hesitate

The widespread panic and fear generated by COVID-19 have brought the world to a grinding halt with authorities imposing quarantine protocols. 

The pandemic has caused many Filipinos to hesitate to visit doctors’ clinics primarily due to the fear of contracting the virus outside their homes. Medical practitioners are now conducting teleconsultations or virtual consultations, allowing patients to have access to doctors through phone or video calls to mitigate the situation.

Some hospitals have already opened outpatient clinics but on an appointment basis only, with the patients required to accomplish health declaration forms.

While the spread of COVID-19 currently dominates health concerns, Filipinos should not ignore their pre-existing health conditions or non-COVID-19 symptoms, as this can put patients at enormous health risk. Among health conditions that must be paid close attention to are diabetes and hypertension.

Studies have shown an increasing prevalence of diabetes and hypertension with nearly four million cases of diabetes recorded in the Philippines as of May 2020^[1], while hypertension is the leading preventable cause of premature death worldwide.^[2]  The emergence of COVID-19 leaves these patients vulnerable to the virus. 

“When seeing a doctor, the risks and benefits must be considered. Whatever circumstances we’re in, it doesn’t change the fact that when symptoms persist, people shouldn’t hesitate to consult a doctor, be it on-site or through virtual consultations,” said Dr. Alex Junia, Cardiologist at the Perpetual Succour Hospital and Past President of the Philippine Heart Association. 

“Early medical intervention saves lives,” the doctor emphasized.

Among the early warning signs of diabetes emergencies that should not be ignored are extreme thirst, dry mouth, frequent urination, unplanned weight loss, hunger, fatigue, irritable behavior, blurred vision, slow-healing wounds, skin that itches, or is dry and/or yeast infections.^[3]

However, not all symptoms of diabetes are the same. According to  Dr. Grace De los Santos, Diabetologist at the Metropolitan Medical Center and President of  Diabetes Philippines, “Type 1 diabetes symptoms may also include abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, while Type 2 diabetes symptoms may include shortness of breath, pain or numbness in the extremities.”

Likewise, the symptoms of hypertension must also be discussed with doctors for proper medical attention. While people with high blood pressure often have unnoticeable symptoms, there are instances when the blood pressure is alarmingly elevated that the patient may experience the following: headache, dizziness, and blurred vision.^[4]

Some of the symptoms may resemble other medical conditions, so it is best to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis.

“There is a variety of treatment and management options for patients with diabetes and hypertension. The decision on which medications to opt for to achieve target blood sugar levels and to lower the blood pressure depends on many factors including patient’s medical history and other health problems a patient may have. This is why it is crucial to seek and consult a doctor to discuss the best treatment plan for one’s condition,” Dr. Greta Cortez, Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines Inc.  Head of Medicine, Human Pharma, explained.

To alleviate concerns about visiting the doctor for consultation, patients are advised to take safety precautions such as having temperatures checked, wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and making a habit of bringing alcohol for sanitation and disinfection.

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[1]https://idf.org/our-network/regions-members/western-pacific/members/116-the-philippines.html

[2] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jch.13058

[3] https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/diabetes-warning-signs#warning-signs

[4] https://www.medicinenet.com/high_blood_pressure_symptoms_and_signs/symptoms.htm