Cook County officials warned residents Tuesday about a spike in reports of influenza-like illness in the area.
The county has seen a 32 percent increase over the last week in people seeking care for an influenza-like illness in emergency departments and an even higher number of schools reporting absences over the past two weeks due to the illness, according to Cook County Department of Public Health Chief Operating Officer Terry Mason.
Mason recommended that everyone six months of age or older get a flu vaccine and said anyone with flu symptoms should stay home for 24 hours after the fever is gone to help curb the spread of the virus.
Influenza and influenza-like illnesses are viruses that affect the respiratory system and are easily spread from person to person, most often when an infected person coughs or sneezes, health officials said.
Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and fatigue.
According to the Cook County Department of Public Health, the 2014-15 flu vaccine will protect against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during this season, including the influenza A (H1N1) virus, influenza A (H3N2) virus and influenza B virus.
On Monday, a school in Northwest Indiana was closed after two students were diagnosed with H1N1.
Earlier this month, a Schaumburg school reported more than 90 students were out ill with flu-like symptoms. A Lyons elementary school was also closed after health officials said a norovirus outbreak sickened dozens of children.
