Respiratory Infections on the Rise in Rawalpindi with the Onset of Winter
In Rawalpindi, Pakistan, as winter takes hold, the region is experiencing a surge in deadly respiratory tract infections. Besides the usual bout of seasonal flu, the population is being hit by severe respiratory ailments such as pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Health experts attribute this increase to the change in weather conditions, leading to a dry and cold environment filled with pollutants.
The prevailing dry and cold weather conditions give rise to the presence of pollutants, including dust and toxins, in the atmosphere. Studies have shown that inhaling harmful substances like dense smoke and chemical fumes can trigger ARDS. Pneumonia and ARDS, both highly fatal forms of respiratory tract infections, claim numerous lives each year in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Alarming data reveals that in the public sector hospitals alone, ARDS claims the lives of over 100 individuals annually, primarily between October and December. Both public and private healthcare facilities in the region are already receiving patients with pneumonia and ARDS, potentially indicating an impending outbreak in the coming days.
Estimates suggest that more than 100 patients with severe complications of respiratory tract infections seek treatment at public sector hospitals each week, with 20 to 30 percent requiring ventilators. Cases of lower respiratory tract infections are steadily increasing. Experts caution that individuals experiencing cough, fever, lethargy, and thick viscid sputum for over three days should undergo a chest X-ray to avoid complications associated with the infection.
Among the most perilous complications of pneumonia is ARDS. This condition rapidly develops in individuals suffering from chest infections as their lungs fail to maintain adequate oxygenation levels. Accumulation of fluid and secretions in the airspaces hampers the transfer of oxygen to the blood. Most of the reported ARDS cases during the onset of winter involve individuals afflicted with flu, pneumonia, chest infections, and similar ailments.
It is predicted that the combination of smog in the air and cold weather will likely trigger a flu outbreak. Studies indicate that ARDS patients experience severe air hunger and suffocation, which manifest abruptly within a few hours and progress rapidly. Both lungs get filled with fluid, obstructing the airways and suffocating the patients with their own secretions. The key to survival lies in maintaining a high level of suspicion, early diagnosis, and immediate treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU).
Research reveals that ARDS patients typically require ICU care for at least four weeks before recovery begins, and full recuperation can take three to six months. Shockingly, mortality rates among non-ventilated ARDS patients in Pakistan range from 90 to 100 percent. Late presentation to the ICU stands as the primary cause of death in the majority of these cases. Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and diabetes sufferers with critical complications are especially vulnerable to ARDS-related fatalities.
While several factors can cause ARDS, including severe infections, sepsis, pancreatitis, and burns, respiratory infections remain the most common during winter. Individuals are strongly urged to receive flu vaccinations, and those with pre-existing lung conditions such as asthma and COPD should also consider pneumonia vaccinations.
The recent surge in deadly respiratory tract infections in Rawalpindi is a cause for concern. Public health awareness campaigns on preventive measures, timely medical attention, and widespread vaccinations could prove instrumental in curbing the impact of these infections on the population. Immediate action must be taken to address this upward trend in order to safeguard the well-being of communities.
