High Number of ISPA Cases in Blitar Regency: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Blitar ( beritajatim.com ) – Since the beginning of the transition to the dry season, more than 2,000 people in Blitar Regency have been infected with Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (ARI).

Weather anomalies and the lack of concern for residents to maintain their health conditions are the cause of the boom in ISPA cases in Bumi Penataran.

The Head of the Blitar District Health Office, Christine Indrawati said that from the beginning of the year to the end of May 2023, the average ISPA cases that occurred were over 2 thousand people. The highest increase occurred in March 2023 which reached 2,802 cases.

“For ISPA cases in Blitar Regency, from January to May there was actually no significant increase, meaning there are still many people wearing masks rarely,” said Christine, Head of Blitar District Health Office, Monday (05/06/23).

Looking at the ISPA case data in Blitar Regency from January to April, adults (9-59 years) are the most vulnerable to upper respiratory tract infections. On average, there are more than 1,000 adults who are infected with ISPA.

The second most vulnerable group for ISPA is toddlers (0-5 years). From the beginning of the year to April alone, the average number of ISPA cases in toddlers was recorded at over 400 people.

Meanwhile, for the elderly, over the last 4 months there have been an average of 200 to 300 people who have contracted ISPA.

“The people’s concern about wearing masks has decreased. In the past, during the pandemic, everyone wore masks, but now only those who are sick have to wear masks to prevent transmission,” he explained.

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The high number of ISPA cases in Blitar district is caused by several things. In addition to the reduced awareness of residents to maintain their body’s health condition, the weather factor is also the reason why many people in Blitar Regency are attacked by ISPA.

It is known that January to May 2023 is the transition season and the beginning of the dry season. The hot weather and the wind that occurred made the public’s health condition disrupted.

“Because of the transition and dry seasons, yes, that’s actually the main thing, the lack of concern for residents to use masks is the main reason,” said Christine.

Even though there are quite a number of ISPA cases, the Blitar District Health Office ensures that all existing health facilities are ready to provide health services for ISPA patients. In addition to the puskesmas, the Health Office also continues to coordinate with all hospitals in Blitar Regency to ensure that ISPA services and medicines are sufficient for the treatment process.

Acute respiratory infection or ARI is an infection that occurs in the respiratory tract, both the upper and lower respiratory tract. This infection can cause symptoms of cough, runny nose, and fever. ISPA is highly contagious and can be experienced by anyone, especially children and the elderly.

As the name implies, ARI causes inflammation in the respiratory tract, from the nose to the lungs. In most cases, ARI is caused by a virus and can heal on its own without special treatment.

Causes of ARI

ARI is caused by a viral or bacterial infection in the respiratory tract. The respiratory tract that can get an infection can be the upper or lower respiratory tract. However, ARI is most often caused by a viral infection and most often occurs in the upper respiratory tract.

Several types of viruses that often cause ISPA are:

Rhinovirus
Respiratory syntical viruses (RSVs)
Adenovirus
Parainfluenza virus
Virus influenza
Virus Corona

Meanwhile, several types of bacteria that can also cause ARI are:

Streptococcus
Haemophilus
Staphylococcus aureus
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Chlamydia

Some of the diseases included in ISPA are:

Cough cold (common cold)
Sinusitis
Acute sore throat (acute pharyngitis)
Acute laryngitis
Pneumonia
COVID-19.

Transmission of viruses or bacteria that cause ARI can occur through contact with saliva splashes of infected people. Viruses or bacteria in saliva splashes will spread through the air and then enter other people’s noses or mouths. (Owi/ted)