Karachi is seeing a marked increase in influenza infections driven by the H3N2 strain after an earlier H1N1 wave, health officials told local media. Children, older adults and pregnant women are among the groups most affected, and hospitals report more patients presenting with fever, cough, colds, body aches and fatigue.
Dr. Halar Sheikh of Jinnah Hospital Karachi said common influenza symptoms include runny nose, fever, sore throat, cough, fatigue and headache. He noted that H3N2 infections often produce a longer-lasting sore throat and cold compared with some other strains. In many cases coughing can persist for up to two weeks, and pneumonia may develop in people at high risk.
Physicians warn that influenza and COVID-19 share similar symptoms, so distinguishing between them can be difficult without testing. About 40–50 percent of outpatients are coming in with flu-like symptoms, Dr. Sheikh said, and PCR testing is generally advised for patients with severe illness or prolonged symptoms.
Dr. Irfan Siddiqui reported the hospital emergency department is seeing roughly 40–50 new flu patients each day and attributed the rise to seasonal shifts. He said severe cases can present with chest tightness and breathing difficulties at night. While influenza can affect anyone, the elderly, young children and immunocompromised patients face a higher risk of serious complications.
Doctors recommend baseline tests such as complete blood counts and chest X-rays when patients have significant chest symptoms. Dr. Faisal Javed added that influenza viruses circulate year-round, with seasonal changes contributing to the current surge.
Severe influenza can lead to pneumonia, including fluid accumulation in the lungs, which worsens breathing—especially in people with underlying respiratory, cardiac or diabetic conditions. Compared with COVID-19, influenza often spreads more slowly and is usually milder, though severe outcomes remain a concern in vulnerable groups.
Health experts urge preventive measures: wear masks in crowded places, avoid large gatherings when possible, maintain strict hand hygiene, and get the seasonal flu vaccine to reduce the risk of infection and limit case numbers.
