Changing weather in Karachi triggers increase in pneumonia cases

Pneumonia cases among children in Karachi are on the rise, with hospitals reporting a significant increase in daily cases.

According to the emergency head at the Children's Hospital, the facility is receiving 30 pneumonia cases per day, while Civil Hospital is reporting 10 to 15 daily cases.

Dr Khalid Shafi, Secretary General of the Pakistan Paediatrics Association, stated that pneumonia cases typically increase during October, November, and December. "Vaccinations are available for certain types of pneumonia," he added.

Dr Shafi also highlighted that pneumonia leads to over 70,000 deaths annually in Pakistan. "Children under two years and individuals over 65 are at higher risk," he noted.

Pneumonia symptoms include coughing with green, yellow, or red phlegm, fever, sweating, chills, difficulty breathing, and chest pain when breathing deeply or coughing, according to Dr Shafi.