THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said herbal medicines can only alleviate symptoms of pertussis, or whooping cough, but cannot cure the respiratory illness.
“Herbal meds is for symptomatic treatment because it’s not really antibiotic. Pertussis is from a bacteria, so it needs an antibiotic,” said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.
“It (herbal meds) will not cure you. It would just alleviate the symptoms,” he added.
Herbosa said instead of relying on herbal medicines, a person who suspects he has pertussis should visit his physician so he will be given “the correct medicine.”
Last week, Sen. Francis Tolentino said “lagundi,” which is being used for cough and colds, may be used for whooping cough while the country is waiting for the arrival of pentavalent vaccines. But he said the public should consult a physician as to its preparation.
Tolentino’s proposal comes amid a surge in pertussis cases in the country.
Latest DOH records show 1,112 pertussis cases have been recorded from January 1 to March 30.
“This is almost 34 times that of the same period last year, which is 32 cases,” said the DOH.
A total of 54 deaths due to pertussis have also been recorded during the same period.
Majority of the pertussis cases are in Eastern Visayas, Cagayan Valley, Caraga, Central Luzon, and Cordillera Administrative Region.
The Quezon City government, which declared a pertussis outbreak on March 21, said it is procuring P13 million worth of vaccines and antibiotics in the fight against pertussis.
In a statement, the city government said the number of pertussis cases has reached 41 as of April 5 with six deaths, from 23 cases as of March 20 with four deaths.
Mayor Joy Belmonte said the city government is procuring 3,500 vials of 6-in-1 vaccine, 1,012 bottles of Azithromycin, and 1,000 bottles of Clarithromycin.
The vaccines are due to be given to children, aged six weeks and up, who have yet to receive a vaccine for pertussis.
“We are planning to purchase more should the need arise, given that the national government has limited supply of the vaccines,” she said.
Belmonte said the 6-in-1 vaccines also provide children protection from diphtheria, tetanus, polio, haemophilus influenzae, and hepatitis B.
She said Azithromycin and Clarithromycin are antibiotics prescribed for pertussis-positive patients.
Belmonte said the vaccines and medicines will be distributed to health centers, especially in areas where there are high number of pertussis cases, immediately after their arrival. — With Victor Reyes
