Lahore [Pakistan], December 14 (ANI): Pakistan is witnessing a sharp rise in influenza infections, with Punjab reporting a steep increase in cases over the past two weeks. Punjab’s health department says more than 50,000 people have been treated for influenza-like illness in government hospitals across the province in just 12 days, Samaa TV reported.
The surge is most pronounced in major cities, particularly Lahore, where hospitals and clinics are seeing heavy footfall as patients seek care for flu and other viral infections. Doctors say both public and private healthcare centres are under pressure due to the unusually high number of people seeking treatment.
Patients commonly report dry cough, severe cold, headache, body pain, fever and weakness—symptoms consistent with seasonal influenza. Medical experts suspect many cases involve influenza A (H3N2), a strain that spreads rapidly in winter, but officials note most diagnoses are symptom-based since routine laboratory testing is not currently being conducted.
Experts warn cases could rise further between December and February, the peak flu season, and say heavy smog in Punjab’s urban areas may worsen symptoms and delay recovery. Authorities advise preventive measures: avoid crowded places, wear masks in polluted environments, practice good hygiene, and consult a physician if symptoms persist or worsen.
Dr Halar Sheikh of Jinnah Hospital Karachi said common influenza symptoms include cold, fever, sore throat, cough, fatigue and headache. He added H3N2 often causes longer-lasting cold and throat infections and that flu cases are being reported more frequently this season. In severe instances, persistent coughing may last up to two weeks, and pneumonia can develop in high-risk individuals. Dr Sheikh also cautioned that influenza and COVID-19 share overlapping symptoms; about 40–50 per cent of outpatients present with flu-like symptoms, and PCR testing is generally recommended for severe or prolonged cases.
Unlike COVID-19, influenza spreads more slowly, and testing is usually reserved for severe or prolonged illness. Health authorities continue to stress mask use, avoiding crowded spaces, thorough hand hygiene and vaccination, with experts saying the flu vaccine remains a key tool to reduce infection risk and curb cases. (ANI)
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