More men getting sick: 6,457 male respiratory infection cases recorded in Kalinga

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – More men than women were affected by Acute Upper Respiratory Infection (AURI) in Kalinga during the first half of 2026, according to data from the Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO), as health officials urged the public to seek early treatment and practice proper hygiene to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.

OPHO data showed that 11,508 AURI cases were recorded in the province from January to June 2026, making it the leading cause of morbidity during the six-month period. Of the total cases, 6,457 were males, while 5,051 were females, indicating that men accounted for the larger share of patients diagnosed with the illness.

AURI refers to infections affecting the nose, throat, and upper airways, including the common cold, pharyngitis, sinusitis, and laryngitis. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), morbidity refers to the occurrence of disease or illness within a population. OPHO data also identified essential (primary) hypertension as the second leading cause of morbidity with 8,309 cases, followed by diabetes mellitus with 1,324 cases, urinary tract infection with 761 cases, and acute lower respiratory infection and pneumonia with 726 cases.

Comparative records showed that AURI has remained Kalinga's leading cause of morbidity in recent years, with 43,134 cases recorded in 2025 and 34,671 cases in 2024, underscoring the continuing burden of respiratory illnesses in the province.

Health officials advised residents to seek medical consultation promptly if symptoms such as persistent cough, sore throat, fever, nasal congestion, or difficulty breathing develop instead of resorting to self-medication.

They also encouraged the public to get adequate rest, stay well-hydrated, eat nutritious food, practice frequent handwashing, observe proper cough etiquette, wear a face mask when sick, avoid close contact with others to reduce transmission, and keep vaccinations up to date, as these remain among the most effective ways to prevent and manage acute upper respiratory infections.