Pakistan being an equatorial region experiences 5-6 months long summer each year. Having extended summers may not be a big deal in developed countries, in fact, they seem to welcome the season optimistically. Well as for Pakistan, it’s quite the opposite.
In Pakistan, summer feels more like a ‘seasonal plight’. Being one of the struggling countries due to the corrupt governments, Pakistan’s health sector fails to function properly in preventing the viral outbreaks during summer, hence, a large number of people suffer from fast-spreading viral diseases every summer. To find and consult with the best infectious disease specialist in Lahore, Karachi or any other main city of Pakistan visit marham.pk.
Most Common Viral Outbreaks in Pakistan:
Unhygienic conditions, lack of basic facilities, high illiteracy rate, and increasing pollution cause a massive spread of viral diseases, especially in summers when the country’s condition is at its worst. Some of them are listed below:
1. Measles:
Measles is caused by a virus called rubeola virus that replicates in the nose and throat of an infected child or adult. It is highly contagious as it can easily spread through sneezing and coughing. Its symptoms include a cough, runny nose, sore throat, inflamed eyes, fever, and a red patchy skin rash.
Measles is a childhood disease which can be easily prevented through vaccination. Though death rates due to this disease have fallen worldwide as more children are being vaccinated, however, measles still kills more than 1,00,000 people a year, mostly being children under 5.
2. Dengue fever:
Dengue is caused by dengue fever virus (DENV) that is transmitted through a female mosquito-bite of the species Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Dengue fever epidemics frequently occur in Pakistan affecting thousands of people every year. Signs and symptoms include a high fever, severe headaches, joint pains, vomiting and bleeding gums.
There is no particular treatment for dengue but it can be cured by proper medical attention and care. However, it can become life-threatening if left unattended.
3. Chikungunya:
It is also a mosquito-borne disease caused by chikungunya virus. The vectors of chikungunya are the same as that of dengue fever. People suffering from this disease have a high fever, severe joint pains, muscle pain, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and rash.
There is no specific treatment for this disease, however, patients that receive proper diagnosis and medical attention recover fully. As the number of such patients that have access to good health-care facilities is fairly low in Pakistan, it is crucial to practice hygienic living style and prevent the formation of mosquito-breeding sites.