A lot of Illinoisans are entering 2026 with an illness.
Some virus levels have sparked warnings from state health officials as seasonal illness rates continue to climb.
The most significant illness circulating right now is influenza, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Already, cases have reached “very high” levels in Illinois as a new and mutated variant rapidly spreads across the country.
According to data from the end of December from the Chicago Department of Public Health, hospital visits attributed to the flu have already surpassed levels seen around the start of the new year in 2025.
Levels as of the week ending on Dec. 27 were up to 5.05%, while the peak for 2024-25 was 4.73%.
The Illinois Department of Public Health and numerous health departments across Chicago-area counties have issued warnings as hospital admissions and positive tests for influenza soar in the state.
According to an update Monday, flu activity is at the most severe of five categories of respiratory illness activity used by the CDC.
The bulk of hospital admissions and ER visits associated with respiratory illnesses were made because of flu symptoms, according to officials.
“Flu activity is currently high in Kane County, and respiratory illnesses are spreading widely in the community,” an update Monday from the Kane County Health Department said.
In a similar update, suburban Cook County health officials said flu activity had risen to “very high.”
Health & Wellness Jan 6How long are you contagious with flu? The answer might be longer than you think
Health & Wellness Jan 5Some flu symptoms are changing as a new variant spreads rapidly. What to expect
“The percentage of emergency room visits associated with the flu continues to increase and has surpassed peak values seen last year,” a press release from the Cook County Department of Public Health said. “Hospital admissions associated with flu and COVID-19 are dramatically increasing. ICU admissions for flu nearly doubled.”
And experts warn “we haven’t peaked yet.”
“The question is, where will it peak?” Dr. Mark Loafman, the chair of Family and Community Medicine at Cook County Health, told NBC Chicago, adding that the current levels are “not unexpectedly high” but “could spread.”
“These are contagious viruses and people are indoors and we’ve had a lot of holiday travel and people together. So we would expect this spike would continue over the next few weeks,” he said.
But flu isn’t the only virus circulating right now.
IDPH also noted COVID-19 rates have also climbed to “moderate” levels, similar to nationwide metrics. Hospital admissions for flu, COVID and RSV are all “trending up,” according to the state’s data.
Similar trends are being reported in Chicago as well, according to CDPH data.
Data shows that the spike in illnesses is having a serious impact on residents under the age of 18. Children between the ages of 5 and 17 are most impacted by hospital admissions related to acute respiratory illnesses and the flu, while residents over the age of 65 are most impacted by COVID-19.
Illinois also on Monday reported its first influenza death in a child this season. During the 2024-25 season, Illinois reported 12 pediatric deaths from influenza, six from RSV and three from COVID.
“Illinois is facing a significant winter surge in seasonal respiratory illnesses with flu activity at very high levels,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a statement. “Vaccinations remain the most effective tool to prevent severe illness from flu, COVID-19, and RSV. Simple steps like covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands regularly, staying home when sick if you are able, and improving ventilation are also critical to preventing further spread. If you develop symptoms, it is important to get evaluated and treated early in your illness, especially if you are 65 years or older, are a young child under the age of 2 years, are pregnant, have chronic conditions, or care for someone at risk. IDPH is monitoring the situation closely and working with our partners in public health and healthcare to protect Illinois families across the state.”
Other state health experts agreed, saying while this season’s flu vaccine was not formulated specifically for the new variant, it will still help prevent against more severe illness. And it’s not too late, they said.
“There has been a lot of talk about the fact that the new variant is not well-covered by it. … That is true, but you still get protection. And so what we typically see, the folks that are sick, hospitalized, are those who were not vaccinated. … The vaccine isn’t perfect. It doesn’t protect all aspects of this from folks. It doesn’t keep you necessarily from getting the flu as often as we would like, but it certainly mitigates the severity of illness,” Loafman said. “So people with [the] flu shot tend to do better. Their symptoms are less likely to get worse. They’re more likely to bounce back and recover and stay well and far less likely to be hospitalized or, God forbid, to die from the flu if you’ve had the vaccine. And it’s never too late to get it until the flu season’s over – so late March, April, sometime like that.”
Loafman said even those who have already had the flu should consider getting the vaccine if they haven’t already as the risk for reinfection also exists.
“There are three strains going around and probably a few more. So you can still be protected from the future,” he said.
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.
Hence then, the article about what virus is going around most which illnesses are circulating right now in illinois was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( What virus is going around most? Which illnesses are circulating right now in Illinois )
Also on site :