Seasonal numbers of respiratory illness are on the rise. The CDC and Illinois Department of Health are reporting that we’re entering the peak of flu season.
Counties in southern Illinois are experiencing a rise in flu activity. Barb Stevenson with the Jackson County Health Department says peak flu season begins at the end of December and lasts through March, "That's why it's really important when we reach vaccination dates in September to October because it takes a couple weeks to gain that immunity and to cover you through those peak flu seasons."
The CDC reports Covid, Influenza, and RSV numbers by how many people visit emergency rooms and by measuring virus levels in wastewater. According to Stevenson we’re seeing more flu, but nothing above historic trends. The IDPH and CDC report emergency room visits are trending down, but flu virus levels in wastewater are still high.
According to Stevenson it's always a good time to, "teach your children how to cough and wash their hands. If child has a fever keep them home for those 24 hours after they're fever free without anything that reduces the fever."
Even though levels are comparable to previous flu seasons, Stevenson says there’s always a risk to catching the flu, "You have high risk situations depending on the person. Flu can be very serious and still cause hospitialization."
Check with your health department to find out how you can get a flu vaccine to keep you and your family safe.
If you would like to see the numbers for the state of Illinois go to the Illinois Department of Health's dashboard. The CDC has their own reports for Illinois as well on their dashboard.
