Take care of each other, please
Tuesday, Feb 4, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* NBC Chicago…
Illinois is seeing levels of respiratory viruses tick up, the Illinois Department of Public Health said, with a “notable increase” in emergency department visits and hospital admissions for flu, although symptoms of flu, COVID and RSV may look similar.
In an interview with NBC Chicago, Cook County Health’s Dr. Sharon Welbel said visits to the emergency room are “quite high” right now.”
“Actually higher in this last week than it was in the week prior,” Webel said. “We are seeing a lot of people who are particularly ill, including young people.” […]
Hospital visits for the week ending in Jan. 25 shows that flu is circulating “more widely” than other respiratory illnesses, the IDPH said, with “three times” as many admissions for flu as there are for COVID and RSV.
“We are seeing sustained, high levels of influenza,” Welbel added.
* The Illinois Department of Public Health…
Almost 20% percent of [emergency department] visits were for acute respiratory illness, a catchall category that includes flu, COVID-19 and RSV plus other respiratory conditions. Of those, 7.8% were attributed to flu, 1.6% to COVID-19 and 0.7% to RSV. […]
The state’s overall respiratory activity level as calculated by the CDC moved up to High in late December but dipped to Moderate in January for one week before ticking up to High again in the most recent week, driven by increasing rates of flu. The five CDC respiratory activity levels are designed to help people understand the extent of respiratory illness activity in their area. They are divided into Minimal, Low, Moderate, High, and Very High and are based on data that captures a broad range of diagnoses from emergency department visits for respiratory illnesses, from the common cold to severe infections like influenza, RSV and COVID-19.
For those who are unvaccinated, public health officials note that it’s not too late to get vaccinated. It takes about two weeks for vaccinations to provide their full level of protection. Getting shots now will offer protection through the cold and flu season that lasts into the spring. […]
Sadly, the IDPH Respiratory Illness Dashboard has recorded five pediatric deaths this season from flu, with three from RSV and one from COVID-19 and RSV. These deaths are a stark reminder of the importance of vaccinations for children and of the risk of serious illness from these largely preventable seasonal illnesses.
We all know the statehouse is a petri dish of illness! This is a reminder to get your shots!
- Norseman - Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 1:02 pm:
On this note, we will celebrate the neutering of the Federal public health system by the committee approved HHS appointee. At least we have dedicated health folks in Illinois. They’ll just be hampered by the lack of trusted guidance and consultation services from a formally great resource.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 1:24 pm:
This week I became the final member of my family to get a persistent and lingering respiratory illness.
Zero stars. Thumbs down. Do not recommend.
– MrJM
- levivotedforjudy - Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 1:30 pm:
Even with a flu shot, it got me last week. A lot of folks in my neighborhood had it too per the pharmacist.
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 1:43 pm:
Five years ago I had a bad case of the flu and it was awful (before Covid hit). Get your shots please .
- RNUG - Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 1:46 pm:
Been suffering for weeks, likely the norovirus that nothing really works on. Not over, but finally feeling somewhat better.
Lots of friends with either flu or whatever. And most of us have had the flu, covid, etc vaccines this year.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 1:49 pm:
Was just reading a news story (don’t remember the source) that said the common alcohol based sanitizer we all likely have / use isn’t very effective at killing the norovirus that is circulating.
- Jerry - Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 1:52 pm:
If you’re not feeling well please put a mask on if you are out in public in contact with others (i.e. The Jewels).
- TheInvisibleMan - Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 1:57 pm:
Last time I had the flu, was back at the end of 2012.
Maybe it’s been so long because of the vaccinations - or maybe it’s because that’s about the time I discovered I dislike being in any proximity to the general public.
- Lamb - Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 3:03 pm:
…and wash your hands
- G'Kar - Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 3:05 pm:
Mrs G’Kar got it on Christmas Day and I got it on New Year’s Eve. I did not feel human again until the third week of January.
- clec dcn - Tuesday, Feb 4, 25 @ 3:05 pm:
Spent the last 2 days doing the St Blaise blessing of the throats hopefully it has some good effect. If you missed it, we did the next day too. Still wash those paws.