Doctors encourage vaccinations, especially for vulnerable population groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women
A nurse prepares an injection of the flu vaccine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts January 10, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
Karachi is seeing a surge in flu cases, with the new H3N2 strain prompting caution after the earlier H1N1 outbreak. Children, the elderly and pregnant women are most affected, and hospitals are reporting an increase in patients with fever, cough, colds and body aches.
Dr. Hilar Sheikh of Jinnah Hospital Karachi said flu symptoms include cold, fever, sore throat, cough, fatigue and headache. The H3N2 strain often causes prolonged colds and sore throats. This year, the cases have been more frequent than in previous years. In severe cases, coughing can last up to two weeks, and pneumonia can develop in high-risk patients, including the elderly, children and pregnant women.
Dr. Sheikh noted that influenza and COVID-19 can have overlapping symptoms. About 40% to 50% of outpatients have flu-like symptoms. PCR testing is generally recommended for severe or prolonged cases.
Dr. Irfan Siddiqui said the emergency room sees 40 to 50 new patients daily with flu symptoms. Seasonal changes contribute to the increase in cases, and severe patients may experience chest tightness that makes breathing difficult, especially at night.
Influenza can affect people of all ages, but the elderly, children and people with weakened immune systems may experience more severe symptoms. While flu and COVID-19 share symptoms such as fever, cough and difficulty breathing, flu is typically milder. For severe chest symptoms, doctors recommend a complete blood count and chest X-ray. Getting the flu vaccine can help reduce the number of cases.
Preventive measures include wearing masks, avoiding crowded places and washing hands thoroughly after physical contact.
Dr. Faisal Javed, a general practitioner, said influenza viruses are always present in the environment. Seasonal changes have contributed to the increase in cases. If the disease worsens, it can lead to pneumonia, which causes breathing difficulties and fluid accumulation in the lungs. The virus is particularly serious in patients with respiratory, lung, heart or diabetes-related conditions.
Unlike COVID-19, which spreads quickly, influenza spreads more slowly. Testing is mainly recommended for patients with severe or prolonged symptoms.
