The flu has hit Illinois very hard
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (55113)
January 6, 2026 6:56pm CST
A few weeks ago, I thought that the flu warnings were overblown and exaggerated. Evidently not. Our ER's are full--I mean, really, really full. The hospitals here or close by seem to be recommending that you not really go to the ER unless you really, really need to. And if you are ill and feel you need to be seen soon, to call your doctor and see what would be best in some cases for care. Masks are a lot more prevalent here again...son's doctor told us the other day to not go out unnecessarily (we don't do that anyway) as doc does not want either one of us to get this flu.
From what I have read and heard, along with what a few of my family members who are in health care, this flu is pretty wicked. All I know is, I don't want it.
Flu map as of today
Last week, my area was in the light green. Now, it's in the red for sure.
27 people like this
26 responses
@Laurakemunto (13791)
• Kenya
7 Jan
Aaah it's sad to hear that people can ignore and term flu as a less serious illness not until they get it . Stay safe with your family too my prayers are with you.
5 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
7 Jan
I am just trying not to get sick and to not bring the germs back in the house. Hopefully, I won't.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
7 Jan
@Laurakemunto
I am trying. I just don't need to be sick right now. Thanks so much.
2 people like this
@Laurakemunto (13791)
• Kenya
7 Jan
@MarieCoyle you will surely do as you are prepared and also cautious
2 people like this
@noni1959 (12525)
• United States
8 Jan
@MarieCoyle My son and I wavered about driving to the city today to get groceries. It's hitting bad out here. Us having to eat what we had on hand, made us brave to go. 
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
7 Jan
I know we have two preschools closed temporarily as they couldn’t even find enough help to watch the few children in their care that didn’t have the flu. And yes, I agree, schools are a nest of germs!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
8 Jan
@noni1959
I know how that is. I buy all that I can buy when I go, to cut down on the trips.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (113337)
• United States
7 Jan
@MarieCoyle Yes, that’s the last thing we all need.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
7 Jan
I hope your are is not hit, and I really don’t want you to get it, either!!
2 people like this
@youless (113951)
• Guangzhou, China
7 Jan
@MarieCoyle You are doing right. Take care
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
7 Jan
There is no sense right now in going out unless we actually need to go. So that's what we are doing. And yes, I am wearing a mask when I am out right now. I care for my son who is ill. The last thing I need to do is to bring home a bad flu for him to have to deal with. Thank you.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
7 Jan
@youless
Thank you so much. I am trying very hard to keep us both safe.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (118558)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
7 Jan
Thank goodness I am doing what I can to avoid being in cold weather outside.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (118558)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
7 Jan
@MarieCoyle Thank you for your kind words.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
7 Jan
Take good care, George. I hope your leg is healing now.
2 people like this
@almostoveryou (4882)
• Philippines
7 Jan
Yikes. I hope you don't get the flu. I've just barely recovered from it and so did the other members of our household. Take care.
2 people like this
@almostoveryou (4882)
• Philippines
7 Jan
@MarieCoyle Thank you. I'm okay getting the flu once a year. But having it during the Christmas season is just so curtailing.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
7 Jan
@almostoveryou
I've been sick over Christmas before. It's really not fun, I felt cheated somehow.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
7 Jan
Thank you, I am trying very hard not to catch it! I’m sorry you and your family have had to go through that.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (185978)
• Boise, Idaho
7 Jan
I hope you don't get it. It sure can be hard are older folks. I went out for a bit yesterday and sure hope we didn't pick up any bugs of the flu variety. I saw no masks being worn and never thought of it myself. My area is in the purple. It has been in the high range for several weeks now.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (185978)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Jan
@MarieCoyle ........I would certainly wear one to a doctor's office. I hope to stay well this winter. I hope you can as well.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
7 Jan
I had to go out today to one place, I wore a mask. Tomorrow we go to the treatment center and appointment for the son, we will be doing the masks then, too. I hope you don't catch it, either.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
9 Jan
@celticeagle
Yes, when I took the son today, we were both wearing masks, along with the nurses, etc. Even the receptionists were wearing them. I need to NOT catch anything, for sure. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (83147)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7 Jan
Well it's one hell of a winter isn't it? Cold days make for spread of illness it seems. I hope it eases soon, and you don't catch it. Either of you.
2 people like this
@velvet53 (24406)
• Palisade, Colorado
8 Jan
@MarieCoyle Thanks Marie. It was quite a battle and I would not wish that on anyone.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
7 Jan
Oh, my. One of my friends here had that, and it came with pneumonia. The doctor put her in the hospital in an isolation room, he said it was very contagious. She was there about 10 days and they sent her home with oxygen and instructions that she had to use it at night for awhile. I know she was really sick, I am sure sorry you got hit with it!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
8 Jan
@velvet53
Oh, I know my friend was so sick. She couldn’t hardly even swallow. She lost 11pounds and she is a tiny woman anyway, she is now trying to build herself up and to not get that terrible flu!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (493886)
• Italy
7 Jan
@MarieCoyle - I also postpone the appointment with my husband doctor, too much risk to sit in the waiting room with other patients right now.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
7 Jan
@LadyDuck
We had one of his doctors offices call us last week and say they were closed that day (he had an appointment) as the doctor had the flu. Doctors get sick too, we know. We rescheduled of course.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
7 Jan
Yes, holidays always help to spread illness. I know you are careful,too.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (130059)
• Marion, Ohio
7 Jan
People in this area seemed to have it last week
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
7 Jan
They said it was bad here several weeks ago. But I think it has spread a lot faster than anyone thought it would.
2 people like this
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (17034)
• Torrington, Connecticut
26 Jan
The flew has been pretty bad this year
1 person likes this
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (17034)
• Torrington, Connecticut
26 Jan
@MarieCoyle they mentioned it was a record breaking amount of cases this year
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
26 Jan
@BACONSTRIPSXXX
I sure hope it ends soon. From what I have heard, it's not an easy flu to get over. I hope you and yours stay warm and safe!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
26 Jan
Yes, it has. My Florida family is currently down with a bad flu. Not fun.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
7 Jan
They are wearing them at our hospitals as well. They have mask stands and sanitizer stations fully stocked at all the doorways, too.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (214557)
• United States
7 Jan
Ohio is purple! I had my flu shot in October. The only places I've been going are to doctor's appointments.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (214557)
• United States
8 Jan
@MarieCoyle Thanks. I don't have to go anywhere until the 22nd. I am only seeing 3 contractors. You take care too.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
7 Jan
We have only been going to what we have to go to. If I get sick I can’t take care of him, and with all of his other issues he sure does not need that flu. You don’t either! Take good care, please!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
9 Jan
@LindaOHio
That's a long time to stay home without going out! You should get the cousin to take you somewhere while she is still there, and pick a nice day and go out somewhere. Treat yourself, you're worth it!
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (203350)
• United States
7 Jan
It's even higher in this state. I got the super flu shot, the one they give old people and I hope that will protect me. I heard on the news though that the shots that were given this year weren't meant to be for the strain that is running around now..but it still offers protection against serious illness.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
7 Jan
Yes, I heard that it won't prevent you from getting it, but it will help to have a lighter case of the flu. I am glad you got a flu shot, Snowy.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
26 Jan
Oh, there is valid evidence here. All a person has to do is to go to their local ER.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (21630)
• United States
13 Jan
I don't know if I had the flu when I was in NJ, but I was really sick. I didn't have chills or aches though.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
24 Jan
It's strange sometimes, the way different people have different symptoms, but have the same illness. I really hate the flu when it is what we call the ''achy-''flu. It just makes a person miserable.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (18053)
• Raurkela, India
7 Jan
That's really terrible. The thought of flu reminds me of covid time with endless deaths.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (18053)
• Raurkela, India
9 Jan
@MarieCoyle That's very dangerous. Hope people don't lose their lives.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (18053)
• Raurkela, India
13 Jan
@MarieCoyle That's very sad indeed. It's good to take ginger and honey in winter to avoid cold and flu. We have plenty of basils in India which is very beneficial for the throat and lungs.
1 person likes this
@ogbenishyna44 (1202)
•
8 Jan
Its the season and its bad even here in Europe and the UK.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55113)
•
9 Jan
Yes, I have read that you have a big flu thing going on over there as well. Stay well!
