Punjab is reporting a sharp surge in influenza-like illness, with more than 50,000 people treated in government hospitals across the province over a 12-day period, officials said. The rise is concentrated in major cities, particularly Lahore, where clinics and hospitals are experiencing heavy patient loads as people seek treatment for flu and other viral infections.
Patients commonly present with dry cough, severe cold, fever, headache, body aches and weakness—symptoms consistent with seasonal influenza. Medical authorities suspect many infections may be influenza A (H3N2), a strain that spreads readily in winter, but most diagnoses during this spike are symptom-based because routine laboratory testing is not being widely performed.
Health experts warn case numbers could climb further through December to February, the peak flu season, and say dense urban smog may aggravate respiratory symptoms and slow recovery. Authorities are urging the public to take preventive steps: avoid crowded places when possible, wear masks in polluted settings, maintain hand hygiene, and see a doctor if symptoms are severe or persistent.
Dr. Halar Sheikh of Jinnah Hospital Karachi said typical flu symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, fatigue and headache. He noted H3N2 infections can produce longer-lasting throat and cold symptoms; in some patients coughing may persist for up to two weeks and high-risk individuals can develop pneumonia. Because influenza and COVID-19 share many symptoms, clinicians recommend PCR testing for patients with severe or prolonged illness to distinguish the cause.
Unlike COVID-19, influenza often spreads more slowly, and testing is generally prioritized for serious or extended cases. Public health messages continue to emphasize mask use, avoiding crowded indoor gatherings, frequent handwashing, and vaccination. Experts stress that the seasonal flu vaccine remains an important tool to reduce individual risk and help curb community transmission.
