Influenza activity on the rise

[January 08, 2011]  As the holidays came to an end, influenza activity began to increase across the United States for this year’s flu season. Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, New York and Virginia are experiencing high levels of flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other states are also beginning to see an increase in flu activity, including Illinois.

The Logan County Department of Public Health has confirmed a few flu cases in the last couple of weeks. According to Mary Anderson, communicable disease nurse with the health department, "local flu activity remains low at this point, but is beginning to increase in our area."

Symptoms of the flu include fever, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills, and fatigue.

Vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated against the flu every year. The combined seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine is available at the Logan County Department of Public Health through walk-in clinic hours Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., or on the HOPE Mobile during its regularly scheduled stops.

In addition to getting your flu vaccine, there are other simple steps you can take to prevent the spread of flu:

• CLEAN your hands frequently with warm soap and water or an alcohol-based hand gel.

• COVER your cough or sneeze with a tissue or use your elbow, not your hands.

• CONTAIN your germs by staying home when sick until your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Give yourself and those around you the gift of health -- get vaccinated against the flu virus today.

For further information on influenza, contact the Logan County Department of Public Health at 217-735-2317 or [e-mail] or visit www.lcdph.org.

[Text from file received from the Logan County Department of Public Health]