Executive Director Polyclinic, Dr Shaukat H. Kiyani has said pollen allergy attack in Islamabad is not as severe as last year. Talking to Business Recorder exclusively, Dr Kiyani said that due to prolonged winter season and the recent rain spell in the twin cities of Rawalpindi/ Islamabad, the total number of patients with pollen allergy is less as compared to last year.
"Last year (March-April 2011), the total number of patients visiting Polyclinic with allergic symptoms was around 150-180 per day while now the number of patients has reduced to 70-100/ day," he added. Trees, weeds, plants, and grasses release small reproductive cells called pollen, which cause allergic reactions in millions of people. Pollen count ranges highest from March 15 to 31.
Seasonal allergy symptoms are commonly experienced part of the year, usually during spring when certain trees like paper mulberry pollinate. Symptoms of the pollen allergy include sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes. Also, depending on the season, the symptoms may be more severe and people may experience coughing, wheezing, and irritability.
Dr Kiyani said that polyclinic has three allergy centers. "Reduction in pollen allergy cases can also be attributed to the reduction of paper mulberry trees in the federal capital because these trees are the major cause behind the increase in allergies," he added.
The pollen concentration is higher in G-6, F-6 and H-8 as these sectors have more paper mulberry trees. About 60 percent of the patients in the capital are female and 80 percent are between the ages of 20 to 40 years. About the attack of dengue fever in Pakistan, Dr Kiyani said that the country might suffer a severe attack of dengue fever in August/September 2012 as after the monsoon rains, the stagnant rain water helps in the growth of mosquitoes that cause dengue.
"World Health Organisation (WHO) has provided technical assistance to Pakistan in order to combat dengue and in this regard we have conducted a training workshop in polyclinic in which all the doctors of the twin cities have been given training to give proper treatment to patients suffering from dengue fever," Dr Sharif Astori from polyclinic told this scribe.
Dengue is not just a random phenomenon but is likely to become a permanent feature in Pakistan. In order to fight against dengue, there is dire need to change the mind set of the people. The change in mind set will require intense training at all levels, to the public as also the agencies combating it, Dr Astori added.