Proper hygiene comes into play as health experts offer advice about the likely cold and flu season. Caution is the word. Seasonal illness rates are below previous Novembers as we head into the Thanksgiving season. But experts urge caution as colder weather approaches.

Dr. Sameer Vohra, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, noted that "early projections show that our flu rates are projected to be kind of high this year." Hospital visits for flu, COVID-19, RSV, and acute respiratory illnesses are slightly below last year's levels. Dr. Vohra attributes the decreased rates to extended warm weather, but warned that numbers might increase come December, January, and February. Health experts recommend washing hands, wearing masks when sick, and getting vaccinated to reduce the risk and severity of illness.

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