While a seasonal uptick in respiratory viruses is expected in winter each year, we’re still seeing higher overall numbers than in previous seasons, Sundareshan said. Along with respiratory viruses, a “very contagious” stomach bug is also causing illnesses.

— The flu, caused by influenza viruses that are always changing, leads to fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches and feeling tired. Flu symptoms tend to hit more quickly than cold symptoms, and can last anywhere from a few days to two weeks.

The Illinois Department of Public Health is asking residents to stay vigilant against the rise of norovirus. In a Facebook post on Monday, department officials said the virus is making its rounds across the state.

The U.S. is seeing a "quad-demic" as cases of COVID-19, flu, RSV and norovirus spread at the same time. Experts said this is what you need to know.

“Norovirus outbreaks are increasing due to a rise in social gatherings and travel, particularly during the winter months,” Will County’s Chief Epidemiologist Alpesh Patel said.

More people around Illinois are getting sick with respiratory illness. The Illinois Department of Public Health said the state is recording high levels of the flu, RSV, and COVID-19, which was an increase from moderate levels the previous week.

Washing your hands, using hand sanitizer, not sharing food and drinks, and washing and drying your clothing in high heat are your best bets to preventing this virus from getting in your system. "To prevent the virus from spreading, experts also recommend washing and drying clothes in a high-heat setting.

Many hospitals are requiring masks as illnesses amp up around the state of Illinois. According to multiple Illinois health systems, they've started implementing mask mandates throughout their facilities as respiratory infections, flu, RSV, and norovirus continue to spread across the state as winter settles in.

The CDC and IDPH have reported increased numbers of norovirus in Illinois and the country, with outbreaks occurring in Will County, and the Will County Health Department is reminding residents to take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.

Cases of norovirus, also known as food poisoning or the stomach bug, have picked up steam across the U.S. The number of suspected or confirmed outbreaks skyrocketed at the end of 2024, with more ...

Norovirus outbreaks are on the rise, possibly due to more intermingling among people since the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, in addition to the typically annual illnesses, there is a rising number of norovirus outbreaks, otherwise known as a "stomach bug," according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and ...