Severe chest infection

Is severe chest infection worse than usual anywhere?

At or below its usual in every country that reports it.

What is severe chest infection?

A serious infection of the lungs and airways. Flu viruses are one cause, and severe flu can lead to pneumonia, where the lungs fill with fluid.

Signs
Sudden fever and cough, often with sore throat, headache, aches and great tiredness. Severe cases bring trouble breathing.
How it spreads
Through droplets when people cough or sneeze, and on unwashed hands. It spreads fast in crowded places like schools.
How to protect yourself
A yearly flu vaccine. Wash hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, stay home when sick and keep away from sick people.
Get medical help
Get care if symptoms are severe or getting worse. Young children, older people, pregnant women and people with long-term illness should get help early.

In Dooram's words, from the World Health Organization. Source: Influenza (seasonal) (WHO fact sheet), read 8 October 2026. General information, not medical advice.

Which districts are furthest above their usual?

7 districts are above usual.

Each district against itself. A large district always has more cases than a small one, so each is compared only with its own usual.

When does severe chest infection usually peak?

  • PakistanAround January: it peaked in January 2024 and January 2025.

What "usual" means.

Sources. Field Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Division, National Institutes of Health, Islamabad, weekly report.