Influenza is hitting Illinois a little harder this flu season.
More cases of the flu are being confirmed now than at the same time last year.
Illinois' chief medical officer, Dr. Jennifer Layden says many emergency rooms and doctor's offices report being swamped with flu patients.
State records show current levels are higher than most flu seasons since 2009-2010. There were 344 flu-related intensive care unit admissions across Illinois and 135 outbreaks from the start of 2017 through Dec. 31. That's compared with 40 admissions and 11 outbreaks in 2016 and 56 admissions and two outbreaks in 2015.
Layden says it's too early to say whether flu activity has peaked yet in Illinois.
But, she says it's not too late to get your flu shot.
Layden says if you aren't sure, go ahead and call the doctor to see if you need to come in or if you are a candidate for an antiviral like Tamiflu.
