The flu has hit Illinois very hard
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (53075)
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.
23 people like this
23 responses
@Laurakemunto (13475)
• Kenya
23h
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.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (53075)
•
23h
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 (53075)
•
22h
@Laurakemunto
I am trying. I just don't need to be sick right now. Thanks so much.
2 people like this
@Laurakemunto (13475)
• Kenya
23h
@MarieCoyle you will surely do as you are prepared and also cautious
2 people like this
@youless (113959)
• Guangzhou, China
20h
@MarieCoyle You are doing right. Take care
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (53075)
•
20h
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
@AmbiePam (109580)
• United States
7 Jan
@MarieCoyle Yes, that’s the last thing we all need.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (53075)
•
7 Jan
I hope your are is not hit, and I really don’t want you to get it, either!!
2 people like this
@kaylachan (81672)
• 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
@Deepizzaguy (117047)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
22h
Thank goodness I am doing what I can to avoid being in cold weather outside.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (117047)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
7h
@MarieCoyle Thank you for your kind words.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53075)
•
22h
Take good care, George. I hope your leg is healing now.
2 people like this
@almostoveryou (4871)
• Philippines
21h
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
@MarieCoyle (53075)
•
21h
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
@almostoveryou (4871)
• Philippines
21h
@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 (53075)
•
3h
@almostoveryou
I've been sick over Christmas before. It's really not fun, I felt cheated somehow.
@snowy22315 (201085)
• United States
12h
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 (53075)
•
6h
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
@celticeagle (184117)
• Boise, Idaho
5h
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
@MarieCoyle (53075)
•
3h
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.
@MarieCoyle (53075)
•
3h
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
@velvet53 (22581)
• Palisade, Colorado
2h
@MarieCoyle Thanks Marie. It was quite a battle and I would not wish that on anyone.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53075)
•
1h
@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 (490241)
• Italy
14h
@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 (53075)
•
14h
Yes, holidays always help to spread illness. I know you are careful,too.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53075)
•
6h
@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.
@wolfgirl569 (127574)
• Marion, Ohio
7 Jan
People in this area seemed to have it last week
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (53075)
•
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
@MarieCoyle (53075)
•
21h
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!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53075)
•
22h
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
@FourWalls (81651)
• United States
7h
My favorite server at Chuy's was sick over Christmas with the flu. 
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53075)
•
3h
It's no fun to be sick, but over Christmas is just really hard.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (17924)
• Raurkela, India
13h
That's really terrible. The thought of flu reminds me of covid time with endless deaths.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (210110)
• United States
15h
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
@MarieCoyle (53075)
•
14h
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!
@thedevilinme (4599)
• Northampton, England
15h
Covid polarized society - those who now hate vaccines and those who fear flu like illness more. The combination has made winter flu a big problem again. Older Americans have lots of conditions flu goes to town on
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53075)
•
14h
Yes. Now so many people do not want to get vaccines. And vaccines save lives.
@LooeyVille (53)
• United States
17h
I'm reading that in the news that it's hitting 25 states really hard.
1 person likes this
