KARACHI, Dec 21: The National Asthma Day will be observed in the country on Saturday with a large majority of the 1.5 million to 2 million patients being children.

Chest specialists have urged the masses to realise that asthma is not contagious.

“Asthma patient can lead an absolutely normal life and actively participate in social chores including strenuous activities,” Dr Javed Rizvi of the JPMC and general secretary Pakistan Chest Society (Sindh), says.

Children due to their poor defence mechanism and weak immunity against allergen are more prone to get inflicted with the ailment.

“However babies exclusively breast-fed by their mothers for at least two months are registered to be least vulnerable to the disease,” says Dr Javed Khan of the Aga Khan Hospital.

Factors generally contributory to the disease across the globe are cited to be hereditary influence, modernization in living style, increased application of perfumes, insectile/pesticide spray, vehicular emissions, chemical fumes, besides exposure of children to excreta from cockroaches and other rodents.

Stressing the need for public awareness about the disease, the experts have advised that conditions such as persistent cough, wheezing and shortness of breath must not be ignored and a qualified doctor be immediately consulted. Many general practitioners lack a proper understanding of the disease.

However, to address the situation the Pakistan Chest Society, through concerted efforts of more than 32 chest specialists from all over the country, has come forward with “National Clinical Guidelines for Management of Asthma”.

With reference to standard medication, the experts hold the inhaler to be the safest mode of treatment as cortisone, the main therapeutic ingredient suggested for asthma, is provided in safer quantities to the recipient compared to tablets and syrup.

Dr Musawar Ansari and Dr Hussein from the Liaquat National Hospital, however, refer to active and controlled modes of medication, required differently for chronic patients and those infrequently exposed to it.

Vaccines are said to have negligible role in controlling asthma, but little attention is paid to the significance of prevention.— APP