“Lahat ba may trangkaso na?” This question has been jokingly posted online multiple times now as more and more people complain about being down with fever, cough, and body pains. But most people aren’t laughing. There’s only one thing on their minds — could all these flu-like symptoms be indications of a widespread Covid infection? Add that speculation to the news that drugstores are out of stock on fever reducers and analgesics for coughs and colds and now everyone is panicking. But here’s why you shouldn’t.
Medicine is sold out in some drugstores
It’s alarming that Biogesic is trending and there’s a shortage of analgesics and cough & cold meds.
I hope that there won’t be a market price spike similar to face masks before.
A lot of people are experiencing COVID-like symptoms too.
Praying for everyone’s safety and healing. pic.twitter.com/99H9yHwPJt— Jim RN|PH (@JimGumboc) January 3, 2022
Those who went out to buy medicine for cough and colds such as Biogesic, Bioflu, Decolgen, Neozep, and the like might’ve encountered a few drugstores without stocks. Or if they did have those on the shelves, you’d have to wait behind a long line of other people buying the same thing. “Biogesic” topped Twitter trends with netizens sharing how they already visited a number of drugstores only to be told the same thing — the medicines are sold out or there’s only a limited number they could purchase.
But the government says there is no shortage
DTI says there’s no shortage of paracetamol in PH even as COVID infections are steadily rising.
CNN Philippines was greeted by long lines outside pharmacies in Mandaluyong last night, following reports by some netizens of difficulty buying paracetamols, medicines for flu, colds. pic.twitter.com/DXW48KxX9n
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) January 4, 2022
Even though your local drug store might not have these medicines, there isn’t a shortage in supply. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said that the country is well stocked with a supply of Paracetamol and other fever reducers. “Wala po kaming natatanggap na report on the shortage,” DTI secretary Ramon Lopez said on Monday. “Lalo na iyong mga paracetamol, wala po. Ang dami ho niyan at saka ang dami pang generics niyan, so hindi po concern iyon.”
Where else can you buy medicine?
Cases are ramping up again and drugstores are having longer lines…
Here are some Covid Essentials that you MUST have and may pick on Pick.A.Roo app to avoid exposure:https://t.co/trcbMc5JrF pic.twitter.com/ML92DXiXBz
— PICK•A•ROO (@pickaroo) January 4, 2022
If you’ve visited a number of drugstores and you still can’t find medicine available, you can check out drugstores online. Browse apps such as GrabMart pharmacies, Pick.A.Roo, and even Watsons online. You could also utilize the Grab Pabili to see if drivers can find medicine from other drugstore branches. Consider also purchasing other essentials you can get delivered straight to your door — vitamins, medicine, pulse oximeters, thermometers, etc.
Netizens issue friendly reminders on taking medicines
Ngayong uso ang ubo, sipon, at lagnat, paalala lang:
1. Huwag pagsabayin ang Paracetamol (Biogesic) sa mga cough&cold preps na may laman na ring Paracetamol (Neozep, Decolgen) – overdose abot niyan
— marqdmartianMD (@marqdmartian) January 3, 2022
Kind netizens also took it upon themselves to remind everyone how to properly self-medicate with other-the-counter medicines. One Twitter user warned of accidentally overdosing on Paracetamol by combining fever reducers like Biogesic with other relief medicines like Neozep and Decolgen which already have Paracetamol. Those taking antihistamines should also be wary of driving since these could have side effects such as drowsiness.
3. Kung iinom ng antihistamine para sa sipon (Cetirizine, Diphenhydramine, Chlorphenamine na nakikita sa Decolgen, Neozep at iba pa), iwasan magdrive o gumamit ng makinarya – nakakaantok yan sila at baka maka-aksidente
— marqdmartianMD (@marqdmartian) January 3, 2022
5. Malaking bagay ang pag-inom ng tubig kaakibat ng mga gamot sa lagnat, ubo, at sipon.
Magpapawis ka sa paracetamol – tubig
Matutunaw ang plema sa mga mucolytics (ambroxol, carbo/acetylcytseine) – tubig
Matutuyo ang ilong at lalamunan sa antihistamines – tubig— marqdmartianMD (@marqdmartian) January 3, 2022
How to tell if you’ve got the flu or it’s actually a Covid infection
What we know about Covid is that it has almost the same symptoms as the regular flu — cough, colds, sore throat, fatigue, headache, etc. So how can you assess if you’ve just fallen victim to the annual flu season or it’s something worse? Unless you actually get tested, you probably won’t know. Your flu could be caused by the sudden change in weather or it could be because the Omicron variant, a variant of concern that has high transmissibility, is rapidly spreading in the Philippines.
But there are certain things we can be sure of…
Isolate, isolate, isolate
Year 3 in the pandemic and we know the drill by now, even those who’ve remained Covid-free since the beginning. If you’ve got the signs and symptoms, isolate and quarantine for 14 days. These days, it doesn’t matter if you’ve been double vaccinated and just had a booster shot. Studies have shown that the Omicron variant can evade vaccines so now everyone is more vulnerable. Take your fever reducers, drink your vitamins, wash your hands, and mask up.
Take advantage of telemedicine
Sa mga nangangailangan mag konsulta sa duktor, tuloy tuloy pa po ang ating Bayanihan e-Konsulta. Ibabalik na din po natin ngayong Linggo yung ating mga Swab Cabs. pic.twitter.com/h6KQaKb1xN
— Leni Robredo (@lenirobredo) January 3, 2022
However, if your symptoms get worse or it doesn’t seem to get better, consult a doctor. The Office of the Vice President offers free telemedicine with their Bayanihan e-Konsulta project. Simply send them a message on Facebook and a volunteer doctor will assess your condition. Vice President Leni Robredo also announced that her team will once again mobilize Swab Cabs in key cities so Filipinos don’t have to queue in far hospitals.
Lastly, don’t cause unnecessary panic
For yourself or for those around you. We’re living in strange times and everyone naturally fears for their health and safety. Instead of spreading jokes and memes about how everyone has fever, spread kindness and extend desires to see them well. We’ve got too much to stress about — rising Covid cases, no solid contact tracing method, the Alert Levels, etc. — let’s not add to everyone’s problems.
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