Don’t Forget to Consider Whooping Cough, and it’s Easy to Test For

Don’t Forget to Consider Whooping Cough, and it’s Easy to Test For

There has been a recent surge in cases of Pertussis, commonly known as “Whooping Cough,” throughout the Northern Illinois and Collar Counties areas.  Will County Health Department Epidemiologist Alpesh Patel says that while it is certainly important to keep track of Influenza this time of…

Know When Antibiotics Help and When They Won’t

Know When Antibiotics Help and When They Won’t

U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week, November 18-24, 2019   SPRINGFIELD – Roughly 30% of antibiotics prescribed in medical providers’ offices and emergency rooms are not needed.  The over-prescribing and misuse of antibiotics could make the bacteria they are designed to kill resistant to the drug and ineffective…

Will County Health Department Offers Information at Vaping Forum

Will County Health Department Offers Information at Vaping Forum

  On the day of tragic news that the State of Illinois had seen its fourth death with possible connections to excessive vaping, the Will County Health Department was involved in an evening Vaping Forum at Lincoln Way West High School.  Epidemiologist Alpesh Patel (left)…

Fourth Illinois Resident Dies After Vaping Related Lung Injury

Fourth Illinois Resident Dies After Vaping Related Lung Injury

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting the death of a fourth Illinois resident who had recently been hospitalized with lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarette or vaping products (EVALI).  At this time, a total of 179 people in Illinois,…