As flu season reaches its peak, hospitals and health departments in Illinois are seeing a spike in influenza cases, particularly Influenza A. Dr. Vidhya Prakash of SIU Medicine reported a decrease in COVID-19 and RSV admissions but an increase in influenza cases, with Memorial Health reporting a 39% positivity rate for Influenza A last week. The Illinois Department of Health noted a 15% jump in influenza positivity rates since January.
Dr. Prakash advised individuals to watch for symptoms such as fever, runny nose, sore throat, and body aches and seek medical attention if needed. Representatives from Carle and HSHS also confirmed a rise in influenza cases. Dr. Prakash stressed the importance of good hand hygiene and getting vaccinated, as a flu shot can reduce the risk of contracting the virus and lessen the severity of the illness if contracted. As the flu season intensifies, health officials urge the public to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
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