As Respiratory Virus Season Begins, IDPH Urges Protection from Seasonal Illnesses

Health Department has Upgraded Respiratory Virus Dashboard to Keep Public Informed and is Offering FAQs on Vaccines and What to do if Sick

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reminding the public that along with fall, October brings the start of the traditional respiratory virus season. The department is urging Illinoisans to use the proven tools that can safeguard them from illnesses that typically surge during the fall and winter, including COVID-19, flu and RSV. This includes getting vaccinated to protect yourself and your family for those viral diseases if you are eligible.

The Department has upgraded its Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard and has posted two new FAQ documents on its website providing the latest guidance on vaccinations and how to get tested and treated for these seasonal illnesses. In addition, the CDC has created a new Respiratory Illness Data Channel that provides nationwide county specific information that would valuable for anyone planning to travel out of state.

“As our public health workers ramp up preparations for the respiratory virus season we know is coming, all of us can play a role in protecting ourselves and reducing the spread of COVID-19 and the flu by getting vaccinated,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “So make plans now to get both of those shots and protect yourself from serious illness.”

“As we head into fall, the Department of Public Health is closely monitoring this season’s respiratory illnesses and so can you with our updated respiratory illness dashboard,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “Similar to past seasons, we should expect a rise in RSV, COVID-19 and flu cases as the weather cools. Now is a great time to get yourself protected from severe illness with updated vaccines, especially if you are over 65, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions.”

Public health leaders also stress that one of the best ways to reduce transmission of viruses is to stay home when you are sick to reduce transmission to others. Anyone with respiratory symptoms – such as coughing, a runny nose, or fever – should try to self-isolate from others, unless they need to seek medical care. If you cannot self-isolate, wear a well-fitted mask around others.

IDPH officials remind the public that there are effective anti-viral treatments available for COVID-19 and the flu, but they must be started quickly. This is why it is important to get tested if you are feeling symptoms. v For COVID-19, treatment must be prescribed by a healthcare provider and started within 5–7 days after symptoms appear. Treatment is strongly recommended for those who are over 65 or at higher risk for severe illness. Some Illinoisans should be eligible to access free oral antivirals through the Paxcess and Merck Helps programs.

Antiviral treatments for flu are most effective when given within 48 hours of starting to feel ill and are only available by prescription. Older adults, young children, and those who are pregnant or have conditions like diabetes, asthma and heart disease are at risk for complications and should contact a healthcare provider be assessed for the need for treatment as soon as possible.

You can find locations that perform COVID-19 tests in person at no cost near you by using the testing locator for the federal ICATT (Increasing Community Access to Testing) program. In addition, the federal government resumed offering free Covid tests to every household through the covidtests.gov website.

The IDPH respiratory illness dashboard shows that hospital admissions for COVID-19 are currently trending down and are at 1.4% of admissions, according to data as of September 28. Illinois’ overall respiratory illness level is listed by the CDC as minimal.

The FDA and CDC have approved new vaccines for this fall for COVID-19 and flu as well as updated who can receive the RSV vaccines. The new Covid vaccines and the new flu shots are recommended for everyone over the age of 6 months. The RSV vaccine is recommended for everyone 75 years and older. But if if you got an RSV shot last winter, you do not need another at this time, according to the CDC. Those in the late stages of pregnancy are advised to get the RSV vaccine designed to protect newborns. Newborns whose mothers have not received the RSV vaccine, should receive nirsevimab between October and March.

Last month, IDPH posted an episode of its podcast “This is Public Health” featuring the state’s chief medical officer and the state epidemiologist discussing the outlook for the coming respiratory virus season, the efficacy of vaccines, and prevention measures.

The new vaccines are widely available at pharmacies and through hospitals, and community health clinics. The major pharmacy chains allow you to make an appointment to get a shot online. For help finding a provider of vaccines near you, go to www.vaccines.gov.

For those who don’t have healthcare coverage through a private plan, Medicare, or Medicaid, IDPH operates the Vaccines for Children Program, which provides vaccines at no cost for children 18 and under. Adults without insurance have several options. They can check with their local health department or contact a free and charitable clinic or a Community Health Center.

More detailed information is available at these links on the IDPH website:

Fall/Winter Respiratory Virus Frequently Asked Questions Fall Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions

Measure Your Pressure!

Have your blood pressure checked regularly. Contact one of our clinics today!

Toxic Mercury Levels in Face Cream

The Division of Emerging Health Issues and Environmental Toxicology Section are working with the Illinois Poison Center, clinical partners, and a local health department on a cluster of mercury poisoning cases currently linked through shared household exposure. Mercury contamination of a potentially adulterated Ponds facial cream from Mexico has been laboratory confirmed and reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since 2010, cosmetics with mercury content above 1 part per million (ppm), especially skin-lightening soaps and creams, have elicited public health concern due to reports of serious illness. Many but not all countries have banned the intentional use of mercury in cosmetics and related products, although such bans normally exclude eye area cosmetics. It is important to know that reports, such as for this exposure, are that product in commercial-looking containers have been adulterated to potentially enhance skin lightening and this adulteration may be the source of mercury in the product.

A woman has been hospitalized in a semi-comatose state after using a Pond’s cream that contained mercury. The source of mercury in the face cream is currently unknown. The family reports the product was given to them by a family member in Mexico, so sales in Illinois have not been established. However, based on numerous face creams from Mexico being found to have mercury in them, caution about use is paramount.

While mercury poisoning is not a reportable condition in Illinois, we encourage providers to be aware that cases of poisoning from use of contaminated face or body cream have been reported from at least five states now. The CDC mercury poisoning case definition is met when whole blood mercury levels (>10 μg/L) are detected. The IDPH Environmental Toxicology Section can screen for mercury vapor in household potentially impacted by mercury contamination. Previous investigations in California have identified substantial environmental contamination in households where these types of products have been used, often for years. Contact dph.tox@illinois.gov to triage environmental screening needs. To report a case to the FDA, MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. To consult with Illinois Poison Center medical toxicologists on patient testing and care, call 1-800-222-1222. Mercury poisoning signs and symptoms can be non-specific but may include those in the table below. If patients are using a suspect cream, IDPH recommends conducting a total mercury analysis in blood and urine.

Chart showing signs of Mercury poisoning

Treatment for patients with >10 μg/L mercury in whole blood may include succimer. Patients with very high concentrations of mercury and symptoms of severe neurologic sequelae may need DMPS from a compounded pharmacy.

Resources:
1. Mercury in Skin Creams (fact sheet in multiple languages, FAQ) (ca.gov)
2. Minnesota Department of Health - Skin Lightening Products Found to Contain Mercury (alerts, fact sheets, and a photographic list of tested products)
3. CDC: Poison Center and Public Health Collaborations Community of Practice Newsletter (cdc.gov)
4. Mercury Poisoning Linked to Skin Products | FDA Dial 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) or the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in Illinois, 312-353-7840.
The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) at the Great Lakes Center for Reproductive and Children’s Environmental Health can also offer guidance. To reach the PEHSU call 312-355-0597.