Champaign, IL – Seasonal influenza cases are continuing to climb across Champaign County, prompting local health officials to urge residents to take extra precautions as flu activity surges both statewide and nationwide.
According to the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), the increase mirrors trends reported by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), which confirmed Illinois’ first pediatric flu-related death of the season. Nationwide, nine pediatric deaths have been reported so far.
Health officials say the current flu season is being driven by a new variant of influenza A H3N2, known as subclade K, which has become the dominant strain in the United States. Symptoms are similar to typical seasonal flu but often appear suddenly.
Common symptoms include fever, chills, body aches, headaches, extreme fatigue, congestion, coughing, and sore throat. While vomiting and diarrhea can occur, CUPHD officials stress these symptoms are not typical of influenza and are more commonly associated with gastrointestinal illnesses like norovirus or food poisoning.
Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent serious illness. CUPHD and IDPH recommend that everyone six months and older receive an annual flu vaccine. Vaccines are widely available at pharmacies and health care providers, and IDPH offers an online vaccine locator tool.
Additional prevention measures include frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding touching the face, wearing masks when sick, and limiting close contact with others who are ill.
Most healthy individuals recover without complications, but residents who develop flu symptoms are advised to stay home, rest, drink fluids, and use over-the-counter medications as needed. Health officials caution that aspirin or Pepto-Bismol should not be given to children or teens with flu symptoms due to the rare risk of Reye’s syndrome.
Those at higher risk — including young children, adults 65 and older, pregnant individuals, and people with underlying medical conditions — are urged to contact a health care provider promptly about antiviral treatment.
For more information, visit IDPH’s influenza resource page.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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