Flu Season in Pakistan: Symptoms, Flu Vaccine and Home Care

Every year, as the nights turn cold across Pakistan, clinics fill up with people who have the same story: a sudden fever, a sore throat, body aches that make getting out of bed feel impossible. That is seasonal influenza, usually just called flu. It is common, but it is not the same as an ordinary cold, and for some people it can become serious.

This guide explains how to tell flu from a cold, who is most at risk, how the flu vaccine works, and what you can do at home to recover faster.

When is flu season in Pakistan?

In most of Pakistan, flu cases start climbing in November and peak between December and February. Cold weather keeps people indoors and close together, which helps the virus spread from person to person through coughs, sneezes and shared surfaces. In Punjab, the winter smog season adds to the problem, because polluted air irritates the airways and can make chest infections worse.

Flu or a common cold?

Both are viral infections of the nose and throat, but they behave differently:

• Onset: a cold creeps up over a day or two; flu often hits within a few hours.
• Fever: uncommon or mild with a cold; flu often brings a high temperature and chills.
• Body aches and tiredness: mild with a cold; with flu they can be severe and last for a week or more.
• Nose: a runny or blocked nose and sneezing are typical of a cold; with flu they are less prominent.
• Cough: both can cause a cough, but flu coughs are often dry and persistent.

Most healthy adults recover from flu in one to two weeks. The tiredness can linger for a little longer.

Who is at higher risk?

Some people are more likely to develop complications such as pneumonia, or to see a long-term illness get worse:

• Adults over 65 and children under 5
• Pregnant women
• People with asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease
• People with a weak immune system
• Healthcare workers and people caring for the elderly

If you are in one of these groups, speak to your doctor early if you develop flu symptoms.

The flu vaccine: your best protection

The influenza vaccine is updated every year to match the strains expected to circulate. It trains your immune system to recognise the virus, so if you are exposed you are less likely to get sick, and if you do, the illness is usually milder.

• When to get it: ideally in October or November, before cases rise. It takes about two weeks to build protection.
• How often: once every year, because the virus changes and protection fades.
• Who should get it: especially the high-risk groups above, but most people from six months of age can benefit.
• Side effects: usually a sore arm, mild aches or a low temperature for a day or two. The injectable vaccine cannot give you flu.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether the vaccine is right for you, particularly if you are pregnant, have a severe egg allergy or have reacted to a vaccine before.

Treating flu at home

For most people, flu gets better on its own with rest and good care:

• Rest and stay home until the fever has settled, so you do not spread it.
• Drink plenty of fluids such as water, soups and ORS if you are sweating a lot or not eating well.
• Ease fever and aches with paracetamol, or ibuprofen if it suits you. Follow the pack instructions and do not combine several products that contain paracetamol.
• Soothe a blocked nose with steam or saline. Decongestant sprays such as xylometazoline can help for a few days only.
• For a dry cough, warm honey drinks help adults and children over one year. Ask a pharmacist before buying cough syrups, especially for children.

Antibiotics do not work against flu, because it is caused by a virus. They are only needed if a doctor finds a bacterial complication.

Antiviral medicines

Oseltamivir is an antiviral that can shorten flu and reduce the risk of complications. It works best when started within 48 hours of symptoms, and doctors mainly prescribe it for people at high risk or those who are very unwell. It is a prescription medicine, so speak to your doctor.

When to see a doctor urgently

Get medical help straight away if you or your child has:

• Difficulty breathing or fast breathing
• Chest pain or a feeling of pressure in the chest
• Confusion, severe drowsiness or a seizure
• Signs of dehydration, such as very little urine or a dry mouth
• A fever that improves and then returns, or lasts more than four or five days
• In babies: poor feeding, unusual sleepiness or a bluish tinge to the lips

Simple ways to avoid catching flu

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home when you are unwell.
• Keep rooms ventilated, and wear a mask in crowded places during peak season.
• Eat well, sleep enough and keep long-term conditions such as diabetes under control.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get the flu vaccine if I have a cold?

A mild cold is usually not a reason to delay. If you have a high fever, wait until you feel better.

Is the flu vaccine safe in pregnancy?

Yes. The injectable flu vaccine is recommended in pregnancy because flu can be more serious for pregnant women, and it also gives the newborn some protection. Discuss timing with your doctor.

How long am I contagious?

Most adults can spread flu from a day before symptoms start until about five to seven days after. Children may be contagious for longer.

You can order fever and pain relief, cough remedies and thermometers from Khasmart with delivery across Pakistan.

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. It does not include dosage; always follow the directions on the pack or from your doctor.