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Suggest Treatment For Cold And Cough In A Child
Question: Hello Doctor,
We live in XXXXXXX City, (almost Mumbai), XXXXXXX where pollution levels are usually high. My daughter about 5 years old frequently gets cough and cold and we suspect it's due to allergy/ dust/ pollution (not confirmed though). My question is: Is Air Purifier a good option for better health? Would it help improve immunity or would it make my child more susceptible when she steps outside home? Kindly advise.
We live in XXXXXXX City, (almost Mumbai), XXXXXXX where pollution levels are usually high. My daughter about 5 years old frequently gets cough and cold and we suspect it's due to allergy/ dust/ pollution (not confirmed though). My question is: Is Air Purifier a good option for better health? Would it help improve immunity or would it make my child more susceptible when she steps outside home? Kindly advise.
Brief Answer:
The mask may afford protection to some extent.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX ,
Atmospheric pollution is a major problem in any city of XXXXXXX leading to major health issues. What makes it even more problematic is that you cannot avoid it completely.
The mask may help in avoiding the dust to some extent but it is also not a foolproof method. The mask should be preferably of N95 specifications.
You may use mask for her from time to time especially when the pollution levels are high but also let her be exposed to low levels of pollution at times.
There is no documented proof that the mask per se will improve the immunity but it may help in preventing the allergic cough, breathlessness etc and also infections by filtering out 95% of particulate matter and infectious agents.
The mask may afford protection to some extent.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX ,
Atmospheric pollution is a major problem in any city of XXXXXXX leading to major health issues. What makes it even more problematic is that you cannot avoid it completely.
The mask may help in avoiding the dust to some extent but it is also not a foolproof method. The mask should be preferably of N95 specifications.
You may use mask for her from time to time especially when the pollution levels are high but also let her be exposed to low levels of pollution at times.
There is no documented proof that the mask per se will improve the immunity but it may help in preventing the allergic cough, breathlessness etc and also infections by filtering out 95% of particulate matter and infectious agents.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
Hello Doctor, thanks for your inputs. Could you please advise @: Is electronic Air Purifier a good option for better health? Would it help improve immunity or would it make my child more susceptible when she steps outside home?
Thanks,
xxxxxx
Thanks,
xxxxxx
Brief Answer:
Purifiers will reduce the amount of pollutants one takes in.
Detailed Answer:
As i have said earlier, no purifier is a fool proof measure. however they may reduce the level of pollution in a given area as a result of which a person may inhale lesser amount of pollutants. This may bring down the intensity of symptoms and frequency of attacks.
Similarly a purifier does not improve the immunity as such but may help in maintaing good health by reducing the number of allergic symptoms.
Not possible to avoid pollution completely but try and avoid as much as possible. Installing purifier is a good idea these days seeing the increasisng levels of atmospheric pollution.
Purifiers will reduce the amount of pollutants one takes in.
Detailed Answer:
As i have said earlier, no purifier is a fool proof measure. however they may reduce the level of pollution in a given area as a result of which a person may inhale lesser amount of pollutants. This may bring down the intensity of symptoms and frequency of attacks.
Similarly a purifier does not improve the immunity as such but may help in maintaing good health by reducing the number of allergic symptoms.
Not possible to avoid pollution completely but try and avoid as much as possible. Installing purifier is a good idea these days seeing the increasisng levels of atmospheric pollution.
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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