Philippine News

Hearing someone cough in public places such as churches, markets, or public transportation can now easily trigger anxiety, especially amid reports of so-called “super flu” cases in the country. From Jan. 1 to Dec. 27, 2025, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 63 cases of “super flu” nationwide. Health experts, however, stressed that the so-called “super flu,” like other influenza-like illnesses, can be prevented by observing simple yet effective precautionary measures. A

Have you searched the term “HbA1c meaning” after a doctor’s appointment? HbA1c, also known as glycosylated hemoglobin, is a measure of the average blood glucose concentration over the last three months. It is used to diagnose and monitor diabetes and prediabetes in adults. Here’s what you need to know about the HbA1c test in the Philippines. What is HbA1c Testing? HbA1c is a measure of your average blood sugar levels over the last 3 months. It’s not the same as the blood gluc

In the Philippines, traditional practices and values have long supported a healthy lifestyle. These customs, passed down through generations, offer wisdom and practical tips for maintaining wellness. Here are some healthy lifestyle tips inspired by Filipino traditions: 1. Eat Fresh and Local Filipinos have always valued fresh, local produce. Traditional markets, or "palengkes," are filled with a variety of fruits, vegetables, and seafood. Incorporating more fresh and local fo

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday again warned the public against eating unhealthy food as well as smoking and drinking alcohol this holiday season, noting that it has already recorded an increase in holiday-related ailments. “What we commonly see is that, because Christmas happens only once a year, [people] say ‘it’s fine’ even if this is not allowed,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa warned. “They will eat ‘lechon’ (roasted pig). They will eat sweets even if they

As the holiday season is around the corner and alcoholic beverages may overflow during gatherings, a heart expert has raised the concern of binge drinking and the implications it may bring to health, particularly to the heart. Dr. Maria Encarnita Limpin, a medical specialist from the Philippine Heart Center, characterized binge drinking as the alcohol consumption of five or more standard drinks within two hours. She also noted that this is classified by the number of drinks c

The Department of Health (DOH) has warned the public against the leading causes of illness or injury during the holidays: road traffic accidents, firework-related injuries, and heart disease. Teodoro Herbosa on Saturday said he will personally inspect public and private hospitals during the holiday season to assess how they are responding to holiday-related health issues, such as injuries from road crashes, fireworks, and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). “Preparedness is import

December is here – and with many about to go partying and shopping, the Philippine National Police has drawn up 12 safety tips for the public. The PNP's Directorate for Police Community Relations drew up the "12 Safer Days of Christmas" to help people avoid being victimized by criminals during this season. Among the safety tips – which touch on shopping, social media and parties and even at home – are: Shopping 1. Ensure that doors and windows are properly locked when out sho

Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. Severe measles can lead to hospitalization and even death. Measles is still common in many parts of the world. Anyone who is not fully vaccinated against measles and travels internationally—or to a place with a measles outbreak—is at risk. How to protect against measles You can protect yourself and your children against measles with the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. What to do before international tr

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that has become a significant public health concern in many tropical and subtropical regions, including the Philippines. What is Dengue Fever? Dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus, which is spread to people by infected Aedes mosquitoes. The illness can be mild or severe, with the severe form called dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS) posing a serious risk to life. The Philippines, with its tropic

The winter season is typically filled with festivities and holiday parties, however, the winter season can also be filled with coughs and colds. This in turn can be challenging for seniors as well as those with chronic health issues. Moreover, with the prevailing coronavirus scare, it is crucial time to be careful even with the mildest symptoms of the common cold and flu. Many medications on the market help to soothe a sore throat and combat a runny nose, but an effective

A Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) is a plain text warning to particular land area that may experience winds of at least strong breeze in strength on the Beaufort Scale (i.e., 39 km/h, 22 kt or higher) within at most 36 hours from the time the signal is put into effect during the passage of a tropical cyclone. A particular wind signal has an equivalent expected wind threat, length of time (in hours) before onset of expected wind threat, and potential impacts to the localit

Drinking tea or warm lemon water mixed with honey is often used to soothe a sore throat. But honey alone may work as well as medicines available without a prescription to lessen coughing. In several studies, people with upper respiratory tract infections were given honey to lessen coughing. The honey seemed to lessen their coughing and help them sleep better. These studies included children. In these studies, honey appeared to work as well as diphenhydramine (die-fen-HI-druh-

‘Tis the season to be extra cautious as we hit the last few months of the year, also known in the Philippines as –Ber months. Since the months of September, October, November, and December fall under the wet or rainy season, the weather can get a little colder than usual. Unfortunately, it also means the onset of several diseases that are common in tropical climate, which refers to the intermittently wet and dry days. Thus, the shift from the dry to the wet season is consider

A good sleeping position along with a good quality of sleep throughout the night relaxes the spine and muscles. Sleep is needed not just for relaxation but also for mental and physical recovery. We all have a favorite position while sleeping which we naturally fall into every night. But can one position be healthier than the other? Researchers say that our sleeping positions matter and some sleeping positions are more beneficial than others. No one position fits all: the best

Recently, a friend asked me about tonsil stones. He has sore throats several times a year, which are instantly relieved by gargling to...

If you regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week, try these simple tips to help you cut down. 14 units is equivalent to 6...

Symptoms of HIV can vary between individuals however the first signs of infection generally appear within the first 1-2 months. Many, but...

There are two types of people in this world. Those who treat sunscreen as essential as brushing their teeth, and those who still believe...

Now that we've covered the most common sleep disorders affecting older adults, let's talk about strategies for restoring restful sleep....

1. Restless Leg Syndrome Restless leg syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes the irresistible urge to move your legs,...