Medical director of otolaryngology Albert Merati, MD, said he’s seen patients come in for sore throats, headaches, nasal congestion and earaches related to hanging smoke in the air, according to the statement.
“The lining of the nose and ear particularly have a certain type of clearing mechanism that is very vulnerable in terms of its response to outside irritants, such as tobacco smoke, secondhand smoke and profound exposure such as the environmental challenges we’re facing today with the smoke that’s in the air,” Dr. Merati said in a statement.
Dr. Merati said he expected to see an increase in ear infections, especially in children, into October, the statement said.
Read the full press release here.
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