• Health dept issues advisory on prevention of influenza
• Experts blame illness on weak immune system

KARACHI: An alarming increase in the cases of respiratory tract infection has been witnessed in the metropolis during the past few weeks, prompting health authorities to issue an advisory on prevention and control of influenza on Wednesday.

Sources told Dawn this was the second spike in the cases of the illness causing flu-like symptoms over the last two months and that the patients currently constituted the bulk of cases reporting at healthcare facilities.

They pointed out that the number of these patients, including those of Covid, was high two months back and then it dropped gradually.

“For the past few weeks, we have been seeing a resurgence in these cases. Multiple viruses seem to be causing the illness that is mainly managed through symptomatic treatment; though there are few cases in which patients have superadded bacterial infection/s and are prescribed antibiotics,” senior ENT surgeon Dr Qaiser Sajjad shared.

According to him, the city’s capacity to identify viruses is very limited as it doesn’t have a virology laboratory.

“Generally, doctors neither suggest laboratory diagnosis nor patients are willing to get themselves tested. In most cases, recovery is seen in three days to four days with the help of fever management, bed rest and consumption of plenty of liquids.

“Having said that, no doubt there are cases of influenza as well as rinofaringitis, which is inflammation of the nasal mucosa that can be caused by a virus or bacteria,” he said, while explaining why causative agents remained undetected.

Advisory released quite late, says expert

Senior general physician Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, however, believed that it was mainly influenza viruses making patients ill in the city these days and that the health department had released the advisory quite late.

“We have been seeing a surge in respiratory tract infections since the start of this month. Most patients presenting with high fever, cough, body pains, runny nose, headaches and sore throat are managed well with symptomatic treatment,” he said.

Dr Shoro, who also heads the Pakistan Medical Association, warned that poor patient management could complicate the illness and cause pneumonia involving one or both lungs.

Experts believed that the city had been seeing a 10 to 20 per cent yearly increase in the number of these infections that they blame on a weak immune system caused by sedentary lifestyle, consumption of junk food and sleeping late night as well as on environmental factors including growing air pollution and unhygienic living conditions.

“Eating out has become a daily routine affair while most people stay up late in the night, spending their time on either mobile phones or watching television. This lifestyle is absolutely destructive,” Dr Sajjad said.

Besides, Dr Shoro, pointed out, the city’s weather had become erratic.

“It experiences sudden variation in temperature triggering illness in people with weak immune systems,” he said, while emphasising the need for local studies to collect evidence-based data for improved patient management and prevention strategies.

Vaccination against flu advised

Meanwhile, the health department in its advisory suggests vaccination against influenza, describing it as the most important step for protection.

“Vaccination remains important for reducing the morbidity and mortality caused by influenza viruses. Prompt voluntary immunisation of the high-risk groups including health workers, pregnant women, children under 5 years, and those with chronic cardiopulmonary diseases is recommended,” it added.

For people sick with flu-like illness, it is recommended for them to stay home for at least 24 hours; limit contact with others; use face mask while coughing and sneezing; infected persons should avoid travelling; improve ventilation in closed places and hospitalized patients should be put in isolation.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2023