Staying Healthy During the Winter Months
With the winter months ahead of us, we would like to share general health information from the
DuPage County Health Department. Flu activity commonly peaks in January or February and
the flu season may last until May. The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated
each year. Good health habits can also help protect you against the flu. The DuPage
County Health Department recommends that all persons aged 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine
annually. For more information on flu shots and good health habits to help prevent the spread
of the flu, visit
http://www.dupagehealth.org/news/flushotsnov2011
Pertussis (whooping cough) has shown increased activity in the Chicago area during the last
year. Pertussis is usually a mild illness that is transmitted through coughing and
sneezing. Symptoms may appear 5 to 10 days following exposure but can take up to 21 days to
develop. The first symptoms are similar to those of a common cold: runny nose,
low-grade fever and a mild occasional cough for at least 2 weeks. The cough can become severe
and spasmodic. The disease is often milder in older children, adolescents, and adults.
The highest risk group is infants under one year who have not been fully immunized against the
disease. If anyone in your family experiences the above symptoms, please see your family
physician. In addition, regular good hygiene habits can help stop the spread of Pertussis –
frequent hand washing and respiratory hygiene (e.g. covering your cough, coughing into tissues, and
disposing of tissues promptly).
Please click
here for a fact sheet developed by the DuPage County Health Department.