Experts warn of rising deaths among older people and rise in flu-related illnesses
KARACHI:
As the winter season sets in, major public hospitals in the metropolitan city have seen a visible increase in the number of deceased patients, especially the elderly. According to doctors, the main causes of these deaths are heart attacks and strokes, which have become more common during the colder months.
Dr Imran Sarwar, emergency in-charge at the Civil Hospital, expressed concern over the alarming rise in viral infections during the change of season. “Emergency departments are now seeing an influx of patients suffering from colds, flu, coughs, respiratory tract infections, pneumonia and other related illnesses,” he told the Express PK Press Club. “Patients suffering from chronic respiratory illnesses arrive in critical condition, some requiring immediate hospitalization.”
Dr Sarwar said that compared to last year, the number of patients requiring emergency care has increased significantly. He attributed the increase to a general lack of public awareness and caution. Cases of strokes, which are also more common in winter, have seen a slight increase. He advised people to avoid cold showers and instead consume warm foods like soups to help mitigate the risk of stroke.
According to Dr. Sarwar, between 1,000 and 2,000 patients visit the emergency room daily, of which about 10% are stroke patients. The majority of them are either elderly, bedridden or suffering from uncontrolled diabetes.
It is also alarming to see an increase in the number of elderly patients arriving at hospitals who have already died or died en route. Dr Sarwar added that flu patients, while recovering from initial symptoms, continue to suffer from prolonged cough, sometimes lasting more than two months, raising concerns about serious underlying respiratory problems.
Dr. Sarwar further highlighted the dangers of incomplete treatment regimens, pointing out that many patients fail to complete their prescribed asthma treatment or antibiotics. He warned against overuse of antibiotics and stopping treatment prematurely, as this can lead to antibiotic resistance, complicating future treatments.
At Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Dr Irfan Siddiqui, deputy head of the emergency department, reported a sharp increase in cases of “super flu” and chest infections following a recent drop in temperatures and rainfall. Since the start of the cold snap, cases of coughs, phlegm and sore throats have increased by 15 to 20%. Dr. Siddiqui explained that super flu, a severe form of influenza, can affect the lungs and cause lingering symptoms that can last up to a month.
