As winter approaches Islamabad, a pediatrician's quiet warning carries the weight of a recurring human truth: that protection must be sought before the storm arrives, not during it. Dr. Faiza Jahan reminds us that the body needs time — two weeks — to build its defenses against seasonal influenza, and that the most vulnerable among us, the young, the old, and the chronically ill, have the least margin for delay. Her counsel is not merely medical; it is a call to act with foresight in a culture that too often reaches for the wrong remedy at the wrong moment.
Paediatrician urges timely flu vaccination as seasonal illnesses surge
Immunity takes two weeks to develop after vaccination
Mark
Why does it take two weeks for immunity to develop? That seems like a long time when flu season is already here.
Mimi
The vaccine works by teaching your immune system to recognize the virus, but that learning process takes time. Your body needs to produce antibodies, and that doesn't happen overnight. If you wait until people are already getting sick, you've missed the window.
Luke
But we should note—Dr. Jahan is saying people should have vaccinated before now. We don't know what percentage of Islamabad's population actually has been vaccinated, or whether supply is even available for everyone who wants it.
Mark
Fair point. So who exactly is at highest risk right now?
Mimi
Children, elderly people, anyone with chronic diseases like heart disease or asthma, and heavy smokers. These groups can develop serious complications—like bacterial pneumonia—if they catch the flu.
Luke
That's accurate, but we're relying on Dr. Jahan's assessment here. We don't have current hospitalization data or case numbers from Islamabad to show how severe the surge actually is.
Mark
What about the antibiotic issue she raised?
Mimi
Most people take antibiotics for viral infections, which doesn't help and actually makes things worse by creating resistant bacteria. Antibiotics only work if a bacterial infection develops on top of the viral one.
Luke
Right, and she's saying if symptoms persist five to seven days, see a doctor. That's reasonable guidance, but it assumes people have access to doctors and can afford them.
Mark
What should parents watch for in their kids?
Mimi
If a child stops eating or starts breathing rapidly, that's a sign the infection is getting serious. Those are the moments to get medical help immediately.
Luke
Those are legitimate warning signs, though we should remember that rapid breathing can have other causes too. The key is that a doctor needs to assess it, not a parent guessing at home.
Il Polso
- Flu cases are already rising in Islamabad as temperatures fall, and the worst of the season — November and December — has not yet arrived.
- The two-week lag between vaccination and immunity means the window for meaningful protection is closing with each passing day.
- Children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions like heart disease or asthma face not just infection but the risk of serious, life-threatening complications.
- A dangerous habit is compounding the crisis: people are reaching for antibiotics against viral illnesses, accelerating the spread of antibiotic resistance.
- Dr. Jahan's three-part strategy — vaccinate now, avoid unnecessary antibiotics, and watch children closely for warning signs — offers a practical path through the season.
As winter approaches Islamabad, a pediatrician's quiet warning carries the weight of a recurring human truth: that protection must be sought before the storm arrives, not during it. Dr. Faiza Jahan reminds us that the body needs time — two weeks — to build its defenses against seasonal influenza, and that the most vulnerable among us, the young, the old, and the chronically ill, have the least margin for delay. Her counsel is not merely medical; it is a call to act with foresight in a culture that too often reaches for the wrong remedy at the wrong moment.
With temperatures falling across Islamabad, pediatrician Dr. Faiza Jahan stepped forward this week to warn that flu-like illnesses are already circulating — and that the hardest months are still ahead. November and December, she explained, will bring peak transmission, driven by the cold, dry conditions that help the virus thrive.
The urgency of her message rests on a biological reality: the flu vaccine requires roughly two weeks to generate protective immunity. For those who have not yet been vaccinated, the season's worst stretch may arrive before their bodies are ready. Dr. Jahan named the groups most at risk — children, older adults, and people living with chronic conditions such as heart disease or asthma — noting that for these populations, the flu is not merely an inconvenience but a potential gateway to serious complications, including bacterial pneumonia in children.
One of her sharpest warnings concerned a deeply ingrained habit: the reflexive use of antibiotics at the first sign of illness. Antibiotics, she was clear, do nothing against viruses. Taking them unnecessarily not only fails the patient but contributes to the growing global threat of antibiotic resistance. Medical attention is warranted if symptoms persist beyond five to seven days — but most of the time, antibiotics will not be the answer.
For parents, she outlined specific red flags in children: a sudden refusal to eat, or breathing that becomes rapid or labored. These signs suggest the illness may be escalating, and waiting to see if they resolve on their own is a risk not worth taking. Dr. Jahan's guidance is ultimately simple and preventive — vaccinate before the peak, resist the antibiotic impulse, and know when a child's condition demands immediate care.
As temperatures drop across Islamabad, a pediatrician is sounding an alarm about the seasonal illnesses already beginning to circulate through the city. Dr. Faiza Jahan, speaking to reporters this week, warned that cases of flu-like illness—colds, coughs, and influenza—are climbing as the weather shifts, and the worst is still ahead. November and December will bring peak transmission, she said, particularly in the cold, dry conditions that favor the virus's spread.
The timing of her warning matters because of a simple biological fact: the flu vaccine does not work instantly. It takes roughly two weeks after vaccination for the body to develop protective immunity. This means the window for getting protected before the season truly takes hold is already narrowing. Dr. Jahan emphasized that people should have sought vaccination earlier, before the surge began in earnest. For those who have not yet been vaccinated, the message is clear—delay now risks arriving at peak season without protection.
Certain groups face sharper risk than others, and Dr. Jahan named them directly: children, older adults, and anyone living with a chronic disease. People with heart disease or asthma, she noted, should speak with their doctors about whether vaccination makes sense for them. Heavy smokers fall into the same category. These populations are not simply more likely to catch the flu; they are more likely to develop serious complications if they do. For children especially, a viral infection can sometimes progress to bacterial pneumonia, a far more dangerous condition that demands aggressive treatment.
One of the most common mistakes Dr. Jahan observed is the reflexive reach for antibiotics at the first sign of illness. She was direct about this: antibiotics do not work against viruses. They are useless against influenza, colds, and coughs. Yet people take them anyway, often without a doctor's guidance, which contributes to a broader public health problem—the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. If symptoms linger beyond five to seven days, she said, that is the moment to see a doctor and get professional advice about whether antibiotics are actually warranted. Most of the time, they are not.
For children, there are specific warning signs that demand immediate medical attention. If a child stops eating, or if breathing becomes rapid or labored, those are signals that the infection may be worsening or that a secondary bacterial infection has taken hold. A parent should not wait to see if it passes. The difference between a routine viral illness and a serious complication can hinge on how quickly a child is evaluated.
Dr. Jahan's advice amounts to a three-part strategy: get vaccinated now if you have not already, especially if you belong to a vulnerable group; avoid antibiotics unless a doctor prescribes them; and watch for warning signs in children that suggest the illness is becoming something more serious. It is preventive medicine in its most practical form—not dramatic, but potentially life-altering for families who follow it as the season deepens.
Citazioni salienti
Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections and should only be used on a doctor's advice if symptoms persist for five to seven days— Dr. Faiza Jahan, pediatrician
Viral infections can sometimes lead to complications, including bacterial pneumonia, particularly in children— Dr. Faiza Jahan, pediatrician
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