Children are particularly vulnerable during haze episodes because their lungs are still developing, and repeated exposure can worsen respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and breathlessness. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR: Muhammad Syahir Azali still remembers the fear of watching his nine-year-old daughter struggle to breathe.
Puteri Hannah Amelia had started with a cough and inflamed throat, but within days her condition worsened into chest pain and breathing difficulties.
Syahir rushed her to hospital, where she remained for five days after being diagnosed with a mycoplasma infection and bronchitis that doctors linked to haze exposure.
“At first, she had been coughing for two days, so I took her to a nearby clinic to consult a doctor and get some medication,” the 35-year-old said.
