Rapid & Violent Coughing Cases Have Suddenly Doubled in Illinois

The cold and flu season is living up to its bad reputation especially in Illinois this year as the state reports cases of rapid and violent coughing fits have suddenly doubled.

The state of Illinois just issued an advisory which included some very troubling numbers regarding cases of pertussis also known as the whopping cough. The Illinois Department of Public Health says that recently they've seen the largest number of whooping cough cases in more than 20 years with over 400 in one month alone which is double what you'd typically see in Illinois this time of year.

Illinois health officials now say the count of whooping cough in Illinois is already more than 1,900 which is way above the annual norm. The University of Illinois was one of many locations in the state to see an outbreak of this awful sickness.

The CDC warns that whooping cough can become a serious health issue when it affects the very young. Apnea, pneumonia, convulsions and encephalopathy can all result requiring hospitalization. It can even be fatal in 1% of the very young that catch the whooping cough.

This is one of those situations where you know this is the time of the year when sicknesses like this can run rampant, but Illinois is really seeing a troubling outbreak that hopefully subsides soon.