Illinois is experiencing a significant rise in flu-related hospital admissions, prompting health officials to stress the importance of vaccinations. Dr. Sharon Welbel of Cook County Health reports a surge in emergency room visits, particularly among young people. State health data reveals that flu admissions outnumber those for COVID-19 and RSV by three times. Five pediatric deaths have been attributed to the flu, along with three from COVID-19 and one from RSV.
Illinois is seeing a"notable increase" in hospital admissions for flu cases, according to state health officials, as levels of respiratory viruses continue to tick upIn 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," Welbel said.
In a news release, IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra, recommended that anyone feeling symptoms of respiratory illness consider getting tested and treated early in the course of their illness -- especially if they are at risk for serious illness or spreading it to someone who is. Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weeklyWhen it comes to flu, there are two types that can cause the seasonal illness many experience in U.S. winters: Influenza A and Influenza B., Influenza A viruses are responsible for most human illness and flu seasons, and is"the only influenza viruses known to cause flu pandemics." There are more than 100 different Influenza A subtype combinations currently known.
"They're clinically indistinguishable on a case-by-case basis," Dr. Stuart Ray, professor of medicine and oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, toldFlu can cause mild to severe illness, and could potentially lead to death, according to the CDC.According to the CDC, season flu vaccines protect against both Influenza A and B.
"Seasonal flu vaccines are formulated to protect against influenza viruses known to cause epidemics, including: one influenza A virus, one influenza A virus, and one influenza B/Victoria lineage virus," the CDC notes. "Getting a flu vaccine can protect against these viruses as well as additional influenza viruses that are antigenically similar to the viruses used to make the vaccine.
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