"It is not too late to get a flu shot," Dr. Hasbrouck said. "Flu
activity typically peaks in January, but can run into April. Getting
vaccinated now can help protect you from the flu in the coming
IDPH is currently reporting widespread influenza activity
in Illinois, with 122 flu-related intensive care unit
hospitalizations and six flu-related intensive care unit deaths.
IDPH expects to see an increase in the number of hospitalizations
IDPH recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive a flu
vaccination. Anyone can get the flu, even healthy people. To help
protect those most at risk for serious complications caused by the
flu, it's important that everyone be vaccinated.
Seasonal flu is responsible for severe illness and death every
year, but who is most affected each season can vary depending on the
predominant circulating virus. So far this season, 2009 H1N1 viruses
have been most common. The 2009 H1N1 viruses have circulated as a
seasonal flu virus worldwide since emerging in 2009 and causing a
During the pandemic, younger adults and children, particularly
people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women, were
harder hit by H1N1 than adults age 65 and older. If the H1N1 virus
continues to circulate widely, illness may disproportionately affect
young and middle-aged adults this season.
People at high risk for serious flu complications include people
with underlying chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes,
heart disease or neurological conditions; pregnant women; those
younger than 5 years or older than 65 years of age; or anyone with a
weakened immune system. This year, however, some people who have
been severely ill with complications have been younger individuals
with no underlying health problems.
Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy
nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people may
have vomiting and diarrhea, but it is not typically associated with
respiratory flu. People with flu symptoms should stay home 24 hours
after the fever is gone (without the use of a fever-reducing
medicine). Anti-viral drugs can make illness milder, shorten the
length of illness and may prevent serious complications.
[to top of second column]
Flu vaccines are available in many doctor's offices, local health
departments, health clinics, pharmacies and other health care
providers. For additional information about flu vaccinations and
availability in your area, contact your local health department or
and enter your ZIP code into the Flu Vaccine Finder tool.
To reduce the spread of flu, it is also important to practice the
– Properly wash your hands frequently.
Cover – Cover your cough and sneeze.
Contain – Contain your germs by staying home if you are sick.
More information about influenza is available at
Providing health guidance and information to the public aligns
the Illinois Department of Public Health with its strategic plan to
become the state's trusted public health authority, a place where
Illinoisans can turn for health information and education. For a
copy of the strategic plan, visit
Illinois Department of Public
Health file received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information]