Flu reaches epidemic levels in Illinois, across nation

CHICAGO -- The flu outbreak is at epidemic levels in Illinois and 21 other states, nearly double the number of states from a week ago, and officials say it still has not peaked.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 22 states are now reporting high influenza-like activity. Illinois is reporting widespread flu, a step above high activity. This season, 323 have been admitted to the ICU because of the virus, 115 in the last week.

Contributing to the outbreak, this year's flu vaccine is not fully effective against the H3N2 virus that currently accounts for 2/3 of the flu cases reported.

"It's not working as well as we would like it too," says Dr. Andrew Bonwit of Loyola Medical Center. "And for some people it may not be preventing it at all."

Exacerbating the problem, H3N2 flu types cause more hospitalizations and more deaths than other virus strains. So far this season 15 pediatric deaths have been reported nationwide, though no pediatric deaths have been reported in Illinois.

That is why, fully effective or not, doctors say it is still important to get the flu shot.

"That flu shot might prevent it from being as severe as a case," Dr. Bonwit explains. "It might prevent some deaths. It might prevent some hospitalizations and that's certainly worth it."

It's also not too late to get a flu shot.

"We're just about to hit peak season," pharmacist Nancy Salman says, "and you need two weeks for full immunity, so it's still good timing to get your flu shot."

Doctors are also reminding people to be extra cautious about washing hands often and taking other common-sense steps to prevent the spread of the flu.