Cold Weather Outside Keeps The Flu Spreading Indoors

A sharp increase in flu activity continues to be seen across the United States and in Illinois.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds more than 20 states are now reporting widespread influenza activity.

That includes Illinois, where increases in the number of cases of the flu have been tracked in most regions of the state.

Todd Kisner is Director of the Center for Health Protection in Winnebago County, which serves three major health systems in Rockford. He says the cold weather outside is making the situation worse.

“Nobody wants to go out," he said, "so if there is one person in the family who has it and they are coughing and sneezing and all of that good stuff and not covering their coughs and sneezes properly, then more than likely the rest of the family is going to end up getting that flu.”

There were nearly 200 cases of the flu in Winnebago County at the end of December, up from 32 just a few weeks before.

Statewide, the Illinois Department of Public Health reports the Edwardsville region has been hit hardest with influenza-like illnesses.

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