If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us one thing, it was the importance of washing our hands.

Apparently, not everyone got the message.

In May, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) launched the Hands In For Handwashing campaign to raise awareness about the importance of handwashing to help stop the spread of infectious diseases. The campaign includes the 2025 NFID State of Handwashing Report, based on a new national survey of U.S. adult handwashing knowledge and habits.

The survey found that only 33% of respondents report washing their hands more now than they did during the COVID-19 pandemic. Men were more likely to not wash their hands at key times than women.

The more startling fact is that nearly half of adults (48%) admit to forgetting or deciding not to wash their hands at important times, like after shopping, eating at a restaurant or visiting a health care setting.

“I was surprised to learn that only half of people wash their hands at key times, because as a nurse, that's the first thing they teach us – hand washing. Because they want us to keep our patients healthy,” says Breanne Gendron, a nurse practitioner for OSF HealthCare. “Bacteria and viruses live on surfaces and people, and we need to wash our hands, so we don't spread them amongst each other.”

The top reasons that motivate adults to wash their hands are after using the bathroom, touching food and handling human or animal waste. Washing your hands is a difference maker, especially since 80% of infectious diseases are spread by dirty hands.

“The most important times to protect yourself is before you eat,” Gendron says. “You're exposed to an exponential number of bacteria when you use the bathroom, just because of how our body's waste system works.” 

Gendron offers other important tips – don’t touch your face, especially when you’re in public. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is good to use, especially if you can’t wash your hands. But it doesn’t kill all germs. There’s no substitute for washing your hands with soap. Wash with warm or cold water for a good 20 seconds, which is enough time to sing the Happy Birthday song twice.

“The most important thing is, when you're washing you make sure you're scrubbing in between all the backs, the tops, all the parts of your hands and then rinse, just making sure you're hitting all of it,” says Gendron.

Interestingly, many people admit to washing their hands more often in the fall and winter, even though germs that cause colds and norovirus and other infectious diseases spread throughout the entire year. Gendron says make a commitment to always wash your hands.

“It's just the easiest way to remain healthy,” she says. “If you wash your hands after you go to the bathroom and before you eat, you're just giving yourself such a leg up on avoiding infecting yourself with something or people that you love and are around. It's easy, so wash your hands.”

For more information on the importance of handwashing, visit the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview Clips

B-roll

El sarampión es una enfermedad viral altamente contagiosa que se transmite por el aire al toser, estornudar o incluso al hablar. Aunque muchos creen que es una enfermedad del pasado, en los últimos años han surgido nuevos brotes en distintas partes del mundo, incluyendo Estados Unidos. Se estima que una sola persona infectada puede llegar a contagiar entre 9 y 10 personas si no están vacunadas.

En este episodio, conversamos con Virginia Morgan, enfermera de medicina familiar de OSF Healthcare, quien nos explica qué es el sarampión, los síntomas más comunes y nos habla de la importancia de la vacuna.

El viernes 2 de mayo, el Chicago Department of Public Health confirmó dos casos de sarampión en el condado de Cook.

Aquí está el enlace en Spotify.
Aquí está el enlace en YouTube.

Infecting the food supply, the show (based on a video game) infers that the fungi cordyceps have mutated and quickly spread to humans.

What are cordyceps?

Cordyceps (specifically Ophiocordyceps unilateralis in the show) are a group of fungi which has hundreds of species. Cordyceps can infect certain insects, like ants and tarantulas, by becoming parasites. They can even be parasitic to other fungi as well. The cordyceps fungus is known to cause insects to behave erratically, searching for a place with more sunlight and warmth. When the insect dies, a fungal growth emerges from its head, releasing spores and looking for its next victim.

“The Last of Us” tells the story of a fungal infection zombie apocalypse. Is this scenario realistic? Sharjeel Ahmad, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare, dives into that question. The short answer is “no.” But a more complex perspective is needed, Dr. Ahmad stresses. It should include being aware of common fungal infections that are possible in humans.

The first thing to provide viewers with peace of mind comes down to mammals’ body temperature.

Body temperatures’ protection

"Our body temperature is quite high, and many of these fungi can't survive in those body temperatures. So that's one way we're protected," Dr. Ahmad says.

Certain fungal infections can happen in people with pre-existing lung damage (smoking, prior lung damage from infection or occupational exposure) or have a weakened immune system. Instead of losing sleep about cordyceps, Dr. Ahmad says histoplasmosis is much more common in the Midwest and is cause for more concern. 

"If you're living in Illinois, you've been exposed to it."

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) says histoplasmosis is a lung infection, or pneumonia. It happens in only one to two people per 100,000 who breathe in spores from the fungus Histoplasma outside.

It's the same with blastomycosis, a lung infection caused by a soil-based fungus, blastomyces, which is located in roughly half of the United States. CDC’s estimated areas map shows blastomyces likely living throughout the Midwest and across the entire East Coast. Blastomycosis symptoms include fever, sweating, shortness of breath and cough.

Candida auris: a bigger concern

Candida auris (C. Auris) is an emerging fungal infection which has attracted clinical attention, Dr. Ahmad says. It's a multi-drug-resistant yeast that spreads from person to person, especially in medical facilities.

"Candida auris was first discovered in the ear canal of a 70-year-old Japanese woman in Tokyo back in 2009. Now we have had this infection in many different countries, even in the U.S.," Dr. Ahmad says. "It's one of those species that can survive between 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit and 104 degrees." 

C. auris can cause different kinds of infection. Symptoms can mimic bacterial infections with symptoms being dependent on where in your body the fungus infects. CDC says people can have C. auris on their skin, but not have symptoms at all, meaning it's possible for the fungus to spread on touched surfaces and to other people. Those affected are normally experiencing serious underlying medical conditions and using a device such as a breathing or feeding tube, or a catheter.

Dr. Ahmad says that the overuse of antibiotics has also played a role in the development of the threat of drug-resistant fungal infection. Excessive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics can increase the risk of a fungal infection. He points out that the agricultural use of antifungal pesticides (similar to medical antifungal drugs) can contribute to the development of drug-resistant fungal strains.

“The Last of Us” situation is unlikely

Viruses are simpler creatures, Dr. Ahmad says, which means they can mutate more easily, adapt and spread from species to species. On the other hand, fungi are more complex so there are specific parameters needed to be met for them to infect a host. 

"That jump theoretically could be possible but it's not like we're going to wake up one day and just like “The Last of Us,” and it goes through a contaminated food supply. I don't see that happening," Dr. Ahmad says.

Many fungal infections are not known to jump from human to human. They normally happen due to people being outside and inhaling spores which can come from things such as decaying logs, fallen trees, birds' nests, bat or bird droppings, and really any soil. The University of Minnesota Extension says common fungi in yards and gardens only live on decaying plant matter, so they do not impact living plants. 

If there is a concern for fungal infection, it is important to get seen quickly to figure out what's going on per Dr Ahmad. Outdoor workers including farmers, or those on a construction site can be infected, as the spores can aerosolize during demolition and cleanup projects.

"Sometimes we have a patient who is a smoker, and they come in for a low-dose CT lung cancer screening. They have zero symptoms, but a spot is found on the lungs that wasn't seen before. Through testing, the spot is found to be due to Histoplasmosis,” Dr. Ahmad says.

Coccidioidomycosis (pronounced cahk-sid-ee-oy-doh-my-KOH-sis), commonly known as valley fever, can be found in the Southwestern United States in desert environments. While everyone is likely exposed to these spores, only a few will be impacted. It is more commonly seen in the Southwestern U.S. and South America, but it was also found in Washington State in 2015. 

Increasing temperatures or changing weather patterns can evolve the geography of where fungi can affect people. People moving to new regions of the world, along with poorer living conditions can also play a role. Extreme weather events such as storms, heat waves, droughts and wildfires can promote the growth and spread of spores. Flooding can cause mold not just outside, but also inside people's homes. 

Why don’t fungal infections take over human brains?

"The human mind is very, very complex and is a different beast than an insect's brain. That kind of specialization, for the fungi to adapt and parasitize a human mind, controlling something as complex as the human cerebral cortex versus the brain of an insect, needs a high degree of adaptation and evolution. That does not happen quickly," Dr. Ahmad says. 

Does spring worsen the risk?

Spring is here and fungal infections may impact more plants, but warmer weather does not necessarily mean humans should be worried about getting a fungal infection. Throughout the year, activities which can increase the risk of exposure to fungal spores, such as gardening can be dangerous for individuals with weakened immune systems. While wearing masks outside could provide some protection, Dr. Ahmad says it won’t take away the threat completely.

“The Last of Us” season two premieres on Max on April 13. Dr. Ahmad says while the show is fictional, the increased attention to the rising threat of fungal infections overall is a positive thing.

"It makes for really good television, and it brings good awareness around fungal infections."

Video Interview Clips

The respiratory viral infection, although thought eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, has reemerged, especially among unvaccinated individuals. As of early April 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported more than 600 confirmed cases of measles.

Measles is extremely contagious

"The key to measles is how highly infectious it is. Each person that has measles will infect between 12 and 18 people in an unvaccinated situation," says Doug Kasper, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare. "The key for controlling measles is widespread vaccine use."

For reference, each influenza patient, on average, will infect one to two others.

The measles vaccine is normally offered once a child has reached one year of age. It's a two-shot series, which came on the market in 1963. Dr. Kasper says this gives medical experts decades of data that show a correlation between people receiving the vaccine, and close to zero circulation of the virus in the United States.

The states with measles outbreaks are in unvaccinated people, and no breakthrough cases (in those who have received the vaccine) have been reported, Dr. Kasper adds.

The long-term risks for unvaccinated measles patients 

"There is emerging information that vaccination not only protects an individual from not becoming ill or having less severity of illness with a viral exposure, whether that's measles, chicken pox, influenza or COVID-19, but that there are long-term risks from viral infections that we do not appreciate in the moment," Dr. Kasper says. "Some of these have been associated with memory loss or dementia as somebody ages. Some of these are associated with organ disease like hepatitis or kidney disease."

Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE)

SSPE is a rare, deadly degenerative disease of the central nervous system that can happen seven to 10 years after a measles infection. Young children, pregnant women and immunocompromised people are the most at-risk for SSPE. One to three out of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications, the CDC says.

SSPE symptoms happen over four stages.

-          Stage 1: Personality changes, mood swings or depression. There may also be fever and headaches, this stage can last up to six months

-          Stage 2: Muscle spasms and uncontrolled movement problems. Loss of vision, dementia and seizures can occur

-          Stage 3: Twisting movements and rigidity. Sometimes death

-          Stage 4: Serious brain damage, including areas of the brain that control breathing, heart rate and blood pressure, leading to coma and death

Immune amnesia

Another long-term impact of measles is known as immune amnesia. The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) calls immune amnesia “one of the most unique and most dangerous features of measles pathogenesis.” The extremely rare condition causes people’s immune systems to “forget” how to fight off infections and makes the person more susceptible. The ASM determined it normally takes two to three years after a measles infection for protective immunity to return.

A measles outbreak was declared in Northeast Illinois in early 2024 and declared “over” by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in June. The expectation of statewide health experts is that measles will return to Illinois in the coming months. This is mainly due to heavy travel through Chicago airports and summer festivals. County health departments have now been tasked with keeping an eye on their measles vaccine rates and identifying areas where vaccine rates are low. 

Peoria County's measles vaccine rate is quite high, around 95%. But outlying communities in central Illinois have lower vaccine rates, normally more rural counties. Health experts at Michigan Medicine call the Great Lake State “ripe for a measles outbreak,” as only 66% of toddlers receive the recommended childhood immunizations.

Measles symptoms 

"Measles typically presents with a high fever, typically much higher than what we'd see with seasonal colds or influenza. Fevers can be 104 or 105 degrees Fahrenheit," Dr. Kasper says. "That's followed by a runny nose and a characteristic rash. This typically develops on the head and then spreads down the rest of the body."

“We don’t want to go back”

"Measles at its peak, in the 1950s before the vaccine, led to a significant number of hospitalizations in young children. Around 50,000 hospitalizations were estimated per year and about 500 deaths," Dr. Kasper says. "We don't want to go back to that scenario in any capacity, where we have a large number of unvaccinated people. The outcomes could be too severe." 

Immunocompromised people like those who have received an organ transplant, cancer patients or those on long-term therapies that could impact their immune system, are at high risk for measles. 

Why vaccines are so important right now

Summer travel along with large crowds at places like airports and theme parks, will likely bring more measles cases to the United States. 

"This time, as good as any time, is to make sure somebody is updated on their vaccinations. If somebody isn't sure if they were vaccinated as a child, they should talk to their primary care provider about testing or receiving the vaccine. If someone is immunocompromised and they might be at a higher risk for measles through travel in areas that have exposure, they should talk to their primary care provider about the vaccine," Dr. Kasper says. "If someone has young children or is at an age where vaccine is recommended, we wholly recommend for them to discuss with their provider to remain up to date on their vaccine series."

Vaccine hesitancy continues to be a topic of discussion, one that Dr. Kasper recommends patients openly discuss with their medical provider. 

Natural immunity is not a viable option with measles. The highly infectious nature of the virus, along with the severity of symptoms and potential for long-term complications, make it an illness people need to try and avoid entirely. 

To choose a primary care provider, visit the OSF HealthCare website.

Video Interview Clips

The third week of March marked a regrettable milestone. The number of measles cases soared past the number in all of 2024. Dana DeShon, APRN for Peoria, Illinois-based OSF HealthCare, says globally the mortality rate of children worldwide has been reduce by 51% by just the act of vaccinating them. Vaccines save more than 4-5 million lives each year and have prevented approximately 50 million deaths between 2000-2019.

However, DeShon worries that in the United States, vaccine hesitancy will bring measles back as a public health crisis. The advanced practice registered nurse has been involved with the United Nations Foundation initiative called Shot@Life through which she and others lobby Congress to fund vaccine support for children in low-income countries.  According to Deshon, the funding accounts for less than 1% of the total U.S budget but saves 2.5 million lives every year worldwide.

However, these days, she’s focused on vaccinations at home.

DeShon says most of the population hasn’t seen the devastating impact of the highly contagious measles because it was eradicated in 2000. But measles is making a resurgence because of vaccine hesitancy. And measles is the most contagious of all vaccine-preventable diseases.

It begins with a runny nose, watery eyes and then a rash so people can be walking around, spreading the airborne virus before severe symptoms develop.

“You’re contagious four days before that rash and up to four days after so we could have 8 to 10 days of people walking around not even knowing they have measles and then they’re just spreading it around to people at risk. Obviously, the people most at risk, are the people who are not vaccinated,” DeShon points out.

That includes babies who can’t be vaccinated until age 1, along with pregnant women and immunocompromised cancer patients who can’t get vaccinated.

Vaccine hesitancy was fueled in the 1990s by a bad study from a physician who has since lost his license to practice medicine. The research, published in a respected medical journal, The Lancet, involved only 12 patients and falsely linked vaccines with autism. DeShon said the study has been retracted and there is, in fact, NO scientific evidence that vaccines cause autism.

She emphasizes the National Institutes of Health (NIH) spent millions on research.

“Outside research was also done and there were no links that they could find from that original Lancet study. It got to the point that they said, ‘We’re not going to do anymore studies because they did not see a link between autism and the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.”

Measles vaccination rates are falling

The Kaiser Family Foundation says measles vaccination rates in most U.S. states have fallen below the 95% threshold scientists consider necessary for so called ‘herd immunity’ to control the disease, and those rates have continued to drop. That’s concerning for DeShon.

“How are we going to stop this? It is not vitamin A. Vitamin A is not going to stop the measles outbreak. We need vaccinations. That is what is going to stop the outbreak that we are seeing, not just in west Texas, but all over in these pockets we’re seeing in the United States right now.”

DeShon stresses when the population is vaccinated, measles goes away. Receiving one and two doses of measles vaccine is 93% and 97% effective, respectively, in preventing measles.

She points to an outbreak at a Chicago migrant shelter last year. Fifty-seven measles cases were associated with people in the shelter. Most cases occurred in people who were unvaccinated. A prompt and coordinated response with a mass vaccination campaign reduced the size and duration of the outbreak and stopped what might have become a statewide public health concern.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says measles can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and in some cases, death. Children, especially those younger than 5 years old, are at a higher risk of developing serious complications from measles.

A school-age child in Texas died from the measles and the New Mexico Department of Health is reporting the death of an unvaccinated adult who tested positive for measles. Even if a child survives measles, it can have long-lasting effects.

A condition called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, or SSPE, a degenerative neurological condition can develop seven to 10 years after a measles infection, according to DeShon. 

The disease carries a heavy toll. So DeShon reminds everyone that while vaccination is a personal decision, it impacts health systems, communities, and the most vulnerable among us.

“When it comes to the point that this is something that is so contagious, and now deadly, then we really need to stop and think, ‘We need to be doing this, not because of me but because of those around me.’”

If you’re unsure whether you have immunity against measles, talk to your health care provider about your options.

OSF pediatric nurse practitioner Dana DeShon

A Tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in Kansas City, Kansas, has people on edge, with not much public knowledge about the disease or how to prevent it.

The Kansas Department of Health & Environment reported as of January 31, 67 people were infected in the latest outbreak. Two people died and roughly half have finished treatment and are considered cured.

What is Tuberculosis?

“TB is referred to as ‘the great mimicker,’ says Sharjeel Ahmad, MD, a staff physician of infectious disease with OSF HealthCare, meaning the signs and symptoms are like many other viruses and bacterial infections people get.

“Tuberculosis is a very contagious bacterial infection,” Dr. Ahmad says. “It’s caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is spread when people cough, sneeze or spit. So, if you cough, spit or sneeze, you generate tiny particles. When someone else inhales that, you can get infected by TB.”

While active TB disease cases are rare, Dr. Ahmad says it's likely that one in four people worldwide have been exposed to this bacterium. In Peoria, Illinois, OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center treated six TB patients in 2024. The bacteria can be transmitted easily, with the infectious dose being a single live bacterium sufficient to infect people. The infection is transmitted airborne, through droplets and aerosol.

Tuberculosis signs and symptoms

“Warning signs include, but are not limited to, unexplained fever, night sweats and unintentional weight loss,” Dr. Ahmad says. “The infection is spread through inhaling, so the lungs are the primary site for infection”

Lung symptoms include a chronic cough that doesn’t go away, along with vague chest aches and pains. You may have phlegm, which could sometimes have blood in it.

“The Vampire Effect”

Dr Ahmad says, "Before the Industrial Revolution, folklore often associated tuberculosis with vampires. When one member of a family died from the disease, the other infected members would lose their health slowly. People believed this was caused by the original person with TB draining the life from the other family members".

"It can be deadly if it's left untreated. It was colloquially referred to as 'the consumption,' way back when because it consumes the body, and the body can get overwhelmed by it."

Why do most people not get the TB vaccine?

There is a vaccine for TB, and 2021 marked 100 years it has been around. It's made from a weakened strain of bacteria, Dr. Ahmad says. It's called Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). The rates of protection against tuberculosis infection vary widely. 

"It offers protection from getting TB of the brain/meningitis, especially in kids. It also has some protection against TB outside the lungs," Dr. Ahmad says. "There are some factors like genetics and where the patient is, which means it is not 100% protective. Estimates of protective effect vary between 20-70% for protection against TB disease.”

The TB vaccine can also interfere with a particular skin screening test for TB if the vaccination was given recently.

“Since the disease is so rare” Dr. Ahmad adds. We've opted over the years to not mess up our ability to detect known cases," he says. 

Who is most at risk?

The youngest and oldest populations are both at high-risk for TB, along with those who have been around an infected person.

"This is a disease of overcrowding and poor hygiene," Dr. Ahmad says. "It's been around in humans forever. It's transmitted from person to person via the respiratory route." 

People with a weakened immune system are also at risk of developing the disease if they are exposed to it. This could include people with diabetes or HIV. Patients who take medications that suppress the immune system – including patients with autoimmune diseases, transplants, and cancer patients are also more at risk. Patients with prior history of lung disease/damage are also at risk.

Dr. Ahmad adds that homeless shelters, correctional facilities and those with substance use disorder are also at-risk for becoming infected with TB. 

How TB is treated in the hospital

Dr. Ahmad says care teams use "airborne precautions," including rooms with special ventilation systems in the hospital. TB patients are kept in these "negative pressure rooms" away from others to prevent the spread of infection. The entire care team wears personal protective equipment, including gowns, gloves and N95 masks, while in the room with the patient.

The medication regimen for TB patients is intense. Traditionally, four different antibiotics will be used for the first two months. "Once we have the antibiotic susceptibility results, and everything looks good, we can drop the patient down to just two antibiotics until we reach six months’ duration of treatment for lung TB," Dr. Ahmad says. If TB spreads outside the lungs, treatment can be even longer.

While therapy can be initiated at the hospital, the patient does not have to stay in the hospital for the whole duration of treatment. Once a care plan has been formulated, it is coordinated with the local health department to ensure there are no gaps in care during the transition, the patient continues to have access to the medication, and they do not pose a public health risk to others. The aim is to limit the patient's interaction with others inside and outside the hospital until they are deemed non-infectious, meaning they cannot transmit the infection. The hospital infection control/prevention team and county health department also remain vigilant, ensuring any potential exposures are traced and screened.

Video Interview Clips

Now, health professionals are warning the public about a number of health concerns that can come with sitting on the toilet too long and scrolling on your cell phone.

Leave the phone at the door

Many people have gotten into the habit of taking their phone into the bathroom with them and scrolling TikTok or Instagram while they do their business. Kaylin Heinz, an infection preventionist RN at OSF HealthCare, recommends making the mental decision to not even take your phone with you.

"With you sitting on your phone and looking through TikToks, everyone probably knows that with social media, you look at it for a minute, and next thing you know it's been 30 minutes or an hour. So, I think it's a good idea to just not bring your phone in. Or if you are, just keep it to a minimum," Heinz says.

She adds if your phone tags along to the toilet with you, wipe it down with disinfectant wipes.

Bacteria, fungi and viruses, oh my!

A simple flush doesn’t get rid of the nastiness that is common in the restroom. Especially with bathrooms that have showers and bathtubs in them, the moisture in the room can lead to bacteria, fungi and virus growth, not just inside the toilet, but on all bathroom surfaces. Heinz calls these surfaces a “breeding ground” for germs.

Heinz says it’s important to consider every step of the process, from entering the bathroom to flushing the toilet to washing your hands. Where can the germs be? Are you really cleaning your hands?

"With sitting and scrolling, you're sitting there for long periods. Your hands are probably dirty before you go to the bathroom, because you're typically not washing your hands before you go to the bathroom. Then when you're sitting on the toilet, you're probably setting your phone down on a surface area that has germs," Heinz says. “Then you'll wash your hands, which you'll typically think your hands are clean, but they're not. Then you wash your hands and pick up the phone that was on the surface with germs, and now your hands are dirty again. And you're picking up the germs, taking them elsewhere, and spreading them to other people.”

Save the toothbrushes!

Does your toothbrush hang out on the bathroom counter? You might want to rethink that.

"If you keep your toothbrush on the counter, it likely has fecal matter on it. So, I would definitely put your toothbrush away or switch it often and clean it,” Heinz says.

Stop the spread | Toilet style

Here’s a habit change you can consider. Instead of flushing the toilet and just walking away, close the lid before you flush and keep the germs inside.

"Definitely make sure when you're flushing the toilet, go ahead and close the lid. That's going to minimize the number of germs that are spraying all over your bathroom and aerosolizing," Heinz says.

Heinz adds another fun fact about the dirtiness of toilets -- the minerals in the water. She says the minerals in toilet water can get stuck to the toilet bowl, which can also be a breeding ground for germs.

Clean up, clean up, everybody do their share!

Heinz recommends cleaning your bathroom at least once a week. If someone is sick, she says to clean it once a day, including using disinfectant wipes on all surfaces.

If you’re sick with a virus, your urine and feces can have the virus in them, which keeps the virus living and growing in the toilet longer.

Heinz recommends researching different products and reading over the spray labels, as some can interact with dust or debris, causing them to go into the air. She says if you prefer using wipes but only have spray at the moment, spray a paper towel first and then wipe the surface. She suggests using products with bleach in them, but to never mix chemicals.

“If you’re uncertain about a product, consider spot testing it first, as some finishes can be damaged,” Heinz adds.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the surface you’re wiping stays wet the entire time of contact to make sure germs are killed. You should clean surfaces with water and soap and scrub them before sanitizing or disinfecting them.

According to the CDC, “Cleaning removes most germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Clean with water, soap and scrubbing. Sanitizing reduces germs to levels public health codes or regulations consider safe. Sanitizing is done with weaker bleach solutions or sanitizing sprays. Clean surfaces before you sanitize them. Disinfecting kills most germs on surfaces and objects. Disinfecting is done with stronger bleach solutions or chemicals.”

Video Interview Clips

In a health advisory sent to long-term care (LTC) facilities, farm bureaus and local health departments, the IDPH reports large commercial poultry flocks in central and southern Illinois have recently tested positive for the H5N1 virus. Farm owners are now in the process of “de-populating” the birds.

Several counties in northern Illinois have reported events where many ducks and geese have died, referred to as “die-offs.” The reason LTCs received the notice is because many are located on retention ponds that attract waterfowl and wild birds.

No human cases have been reported in Illinois yet. But health officials continue to warn those who interact with potentially infected animals that if they don’t wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), they are at higher risk of developing the novel influenza A virus due to H5N1.

Doug Kasper, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare, says bird flu has really hurt local American farms.

"Avian flu is a different strain of Influenza A. It's a strain that has been circulating in bird and cattle populations for over two years. It has been devastating to those populations, like poultry and dairy farms across the country," Dr. Kasper says. "What was unique was that in the calendar year 2024, was the first confirmed testing where the spread from an animal to a human occurred of this specific strain of influenza."

In early January, the Louisiana Department of Health reported the first-ever human bird flu death in the United States. The patient was reported to be over 65 years of age and had underlying medical conditions. The patient contracted H5N1 after exposure to sick and dead birds in a backyard flock.

Currently bird flu is only transmitted from animal to animal or animal to person. There have been no reported cases to have transmitted from human to human, but Dr. Kasper says there is always a concern about that possibility.

"Whenever there is an animal strain of infection that's not typically found in humans, we worry about the impact of if it were to cross over," Dr. Kasper says. "We've seen this with other infections throughout history. Even within COVID-19, there was the initial thought that it was an animal strain of infection."

The current flu vaccine does not protect against avian influenza, Dr. Kasper says.

"Each year the influenza vaccine, which is made up of three or four strains of influenza virus, is reexamined and matched up to a variety of factors to try and predict which strains will be most prevalent the next year," Dr. Kasper says. "Right now, avian flu cases in humans are so low that it doesn't warrant a different strain that would be much more likely to be found." 

IDPH’s guidance to LTCs is to have residents tested for the flu if they are suspected of having acute respiratory illness. Don’t touch dead or sick birds, only trained staff in appropriate PPE should handle with caution.

"The average person who does not interact with poultry or dairy farms is at very low risk of avian flu," Dr. Kasper says. 

There is concern that bird flu could enter the food production and distribution across America. This is why the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is closely monitoring dairy and poultry farms, to try and limit any possible contamination of dairy, meat or poultry products. 

The bird flu continues to be rarely seen in humans, as only 67 cases (as of January 15) have been reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most cases have been mild, Dr. Kasper says.

Video Interview Clips

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one hundred people got sick and nearly three dozen were hospitalized after eating Quarter Pounders in October. 

One person died and four others developed life-threatening kidney disease. 

In November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC announced a voluntary recall of multiple sizes and brands of organic carrots. 

In the same week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) alerted the public of an E. coli outbreak linked to ground beef products made by a Detroit-based company. 

E. coli is a bacterium with multiple strains. Humans' microbiome can contain E. coli, specifically in our guts with stool. 

These are different than the strains that cause food-borne illness. 

Doug Kasper, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare, offers some food safety guidance with the holidays here.

“For the person at home, as we head into holiday season, you want to remember safe food practices,” Dr. Kasper says. Whether it's with raw meat or raw eggs, you want to wash all those surfaces after you've cooked with them. Wash with soap and water and scrub the surfaces. You want to cook all necessary products to their recommended temperatures.”

There's no need to break out the disinfectants like bleach to clean surfaces. Cleaning and scrubbing the area with soap and water should suffice. 

Also make sure to wash any raw veggies or fruits with water before eating.

Video Version With Chyrons

Video Version Without Chyrons

Measles can spread through respiratory droplets (like when you cough and sneeze), and it only takes a small amount of the virus to cause infection in others. 

"It can remain in an area for an hour or two after the infected person has left the area. The difference: in a setting that you have many people in a convalescent center, social center or shelter, you'd be concerned about exposure to the unvaccinated people," says Doug Kasper, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) calls measles a "serious airborne disease,” reporting 107,500 measles deaths globally in 2023. Most deaths were in children under the age of five. The WHO partially blames the COVID-19 pandemic for the reemergence of measles globally, saying immunization rates and surveillance declined because of it. In 2023, 10.3 million measles cases were reported worldwide, a 20% increase from 2022. 

In 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 280 measles cases have been reported in the United States from 32 jurisdictions, including Washington D.C.

Sixteen outbreaks have been reported this year, compared to four in 2023. Outbreaks are when there are three or more related cases. The CDC adds that 40% of the reported 280 cases ended up in the people being hospitalized.

Who is most at risk?

"The particular populations that we are most concerned about if they were to become exposed to measles are pregnant women or children under the age of five. They can have more severe clinical outcomes," Dr. Kasper says. “We are not seeing any concern for measles in Central Illinois. There has been sporadic reporting of cases by the Illinois Department of Public Health out of Chicago. But the unique details of those cases have not been shared so far. Where did the people travel from? Had they been previously vaccinated? Or were there exposures in the household? We await some guidance if there is a unifying feature among them.”

Measles outbreaks in Illinois

This fall, the Pan American Health Organization, the WHO'S branch in the Americas Region, issued an epidemiological alert for measles cases in the Americas, with the U.S. accounting for the most cases. 

Illinois and Minnesota have reported the most measles cases in the U.S. this year. 

In March, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported a measles outbreak in a migrant shelter in the city's Pilsen neighborhood, located in the Lower West Side. The CDPH considered the outbreak "contained" in late May, crediting a rapid vaccination response. 

Vaccine mitigation

One dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is 93% effective, while two doses jump to 97% effective. If you've been vaccinated against measles, you're unlikely to have any symptoms at all. The measles vaccine is given alone or often combined with vaccines for mumps, rubella and/or varicella.

"Fortunately, we have widespread vaccination as a standard part of medical care in the United States. As children we receive two shots of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine starting at age one. The second shot will be before entering school at age four or five. The vaccine is highly effective at preventing measles. So, while measles is highly infectious, we have a nationwide response to prevent outbreaks of infection,” Dr. Kasper says.

The recommendation is to complete your childhood vaccine series, which Dr. Kasper calls "very safe, durable and long-lasting." 

Measles symptoms

Symptoms for unvaccinated people: 

• Upper respiratory infections (resulting in a cough or runny nose)
• Followed by fever or rash – fever can be very high (103-104 degrees) 
• Blue spots in the mouth or along the gumline (seen a week into infection)
• Red and watery eyes
• Small white spots inside the cheeks  
• Illness can lead to meningitis or encephalitis

Because of the potential lead to meningitis or encephalitis, Dr. Kasper says getting vaccine protection is the definitive recommended option instead of developing natural immunity. He adds neurological effects down the road are also a concern. 

If families with children under one year of age plan to travel outside the country or to a large metropolitan area in the U.S. with low or no measles vaccination rates, parents should speak to their child's pediatrician. The child's doctor may recommend starting the measles vaccinations as early as 6 months of age. Currently, Dr. Kasper says there is no concern for widespread measles activity in schools, senior living communities or the general public. 

Video Interview Clips

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 104 people got sick and 34 people were hospitalized after eating Quarter Pounders from the fast-food chain in October. One person died in Colorado, and four others developed life-threatening kidney disease.

In November, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC announced Grimmway Farms started a voluntary recall of multiple sizes and brands of organic whole and baby carrots. In the same week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) alerted the public of an E. coli outbreak linked to ground beef products made by Wolverine Packing Co., based in Detroit, Michigan. Around 167,000 pounds of ground beef products were recalled.

What is E. coli?

Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, is a bacterium with multiple strains. Humans’ microbiome can contain E. coli, specifically in our guts with stool. These are different than the strains that cause food-borne illness.

Eating affected foods can lead to serious gastrointestinal illnesses, such as diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and kidney disease if the case is severe. Symptoms can start anywhere from a few days to up to nine days later, according to the FDA. Doug Kasper, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare, adds that a bout with E. coli is more than just a usual stomachache.

"Upset stomach, more than typical like you ate too much or have heartburn after a meal,” Dr. Kasper says. “The particular concern would be an acute onset of diarrhea, stool that has blood in it and crampy abdominal pain that persists for more than 24 hours." 

What causes an outbreak?

There’s not a simple answer to where an E. coli outbreak starts, Dr. Kasper says. It could be in the original production facility or in transit, as a lot of food is transported across the United States.

”When you have these outbreaks, it usually comes down to one variable that has change,” Dr. Kasper says. “Maybe it has to do with a weather outbreak or a change in (a weather) pattern in that area that led to something different in how it was harvested."

Food safety practices around the holidays

"For the person at home, as we head into holiday season, you want to remember safe food practices. Whether it's with raw meat or raw eggs, you want to wash all those surfaces after you've cooked with them. Wash with soap and water and scrub the surfaces. You want to cook all necessary products to their recommended temperatures,” Dr. Kasper says.

And there’s no need to break out the disinfectants like ultraviolet light or bleach to clean the surfaces. Cleaning and scrubbing the area with soap and water should suffice.

If you went to the grocery store and picked up raw vegetables or fruits, Dr. Kasper says to make sure you wash them in water before eating them as well. If you have a product at home that’s been a part of a recall, Dr. Kasper says to not “cook your way through a recall.” Just toss the product out. Sometimes the manufacturer or store will offer a refund for impacted items.

There’s some reassurance 

"I look at it more that you have a complex industry, bringing foods across the country that get sourced from different places. As long as there is a constant process to audit this and address issues as they occur, that is the most reassuring part of getting these things to cease as fast as possible," Dr. Kasper says. 

While it can be very concerning to consumers when seeing these recalls, Dr. Kasper says it’s reassuring that the USDA, FDA and CDC investigate when the contamination occurs, gets the products removed from the shelves and then notify and update the public throughout a recall.

If you’re experiencing symptoms like intense stomach pain or diarrhea, potentially with blood in the stool, Dr. Kasper recommends contacting your medical provider immediately. If your symptoms are somewhat mild, OSF PromptCare or OSF OnCall Urgent Care are also available. If symptoms are really severe, you may want to consider a trip to the emergency department.

Video Interview Clips

She was about to become a statistic in a polio epidemic and battle a disease that still impacts her in 2024.

Though polio is nearly eradicated today thanks to childhood vaccinations, both the disease and the shots have garnered headlines lately. This month, Paul Alexander, who spent much of his life in an iron lung, passed away at age 78. And the state of Illinois is combating a measles outbreak, reminding us of the importance of vaccines.

Kemnetz’s story

Kemnetz says the week she got her headache that led to a polio diagnosis was a painful blur.

“All my senses were on high alert,” she says. “The littlest sound was like somebody stomping next to my ear. We had a little night light. I couldn’t even stand to have it on.”

On Sunday, the family doctor made a house call and immediately called for an ambulance. Kemnetz wound up at Mercy Hospital in Urbana, Illinois (now OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center). That next month, she says, was also a blur. Among other things, doctors upon her arrival performed a spinal tap to examine Kemnetz’s spinal fluid. She also recalls waking up one day with doctors preparing to put her in an iron lung to help her breathe.

“I screamed at my parents not to put me in that. I was terrified,” Kemnetz says.

After leaving the hospital, Kemnetz got more treatment near her home before spending over a year at a hospital in New York. There, she reprogrammed her leg muscles to work through repetitious exercises. It’s what we know today as physical therapy. Eventually, she returned to a mostly normal life and a career in real estate.

Polio then vs. now

Albert England, MD, an infectious disease physician at OSF HealthCare, says polio has been around “for a long time.” There’s even evidence of ancient Egyptians having it, he says. The disease is caused by a virus that “invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Other symptoms are flu-like, including fever, difficulty breathing, fatigue, headache, vomiting, a stiff neck and pain in the arms or legs.

Dr. England says today, doctors use ventilators to help sick people who can’t breathe. But back in 1952, the iron lung – which Kemnetz got acquainted with – was the help available for people with polio.

“It produced negative pressure around the patient, allowing the lungs to expand and contract regularly,” Dr. England explains.

“It was like having CPR 24/7,” Kemnetz says of lying in the tube. “So uncomfortable.”

Kemnetz also gave blood to help develop a polio vaccine, the number one way we have come to fight that disease and many others. It’s a topic she’s passionate about today.

“We have to save the children,” she says.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says children should get four doses of the polio vaccine as a part of routine childhood vaccinations. The CDC says while it’s rare, adults who know or suspect they did not get the shots as kids should get them as adults. Adults who are at an increased risk of getting the disease, such as working in a laboratory where the virus may be present, can get a booster shot.

“The vaccine prevents illness by developing antibodies,” Dr. England explains.

Kemnetz today

In 1985, Kemnetz developed post-polio syndrome, a disorder that weakens the nerves and muscles. She says her hands “look nice,” but everyday tasks like writing, eating or shuffling cards are tough.

“There are just not as many neurons providing the strength the people need,” Dr. England says of post-polio syndrome.

But, after being told in 1952 that walking, having children and living a long life was unlikely, Kemnetz is counting her blessings. Among them are the chances to recount her life story with her children and grandchildren.

“I think I thumbed my nose at them pretty good,” she quips about her prognosis back then. “The word ‘can’t’ isn’t in my vocabulary.”

Interview clips

B-roll

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RSV's impact on your baby

After more than three years of shut-downs, mask mandates and physical distancing, COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency.

The U.S. COVID-19 public health emergency declaration was first issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on January 31, 2020. It officially expires May 11, 2023.  The World Health Organization also recently declared an end to the international public health emergency, although it still classifies COVID-19 as a pandemic.

The end of the state of emergency means the U.S. government is scaling back its approach to COVID-19, which means prevention, care and treatment are about to become more expensive. In addition, some telehealth options that were made available during the public health emergency are going away, so check with your provider about your options.

The COVID-19 response plan changed drastically over the past three years. For three-quarters of the first year of the pandemic, no vaccine was readily available.

“During the time that no COVID-19 vaccine was available, the whole population was at risk of contracting COVID,” says Douglas Kasper, MD, section head of infectious disease at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria and an infectious disease specialist for OSF HealthCare. “There was no banked natural immunity. People had not had infection yet. We saw much different outcomes in that period. People of all ages became ill, people of all ages were in the hospital, and it was much more difficult to predict who would become sick.”

Dr. Kasper says the rollout of vaccines helped protect people against the virus.

“People were also able to achieve natural immunity which works in concert with the vaccine. We’ve seemed to provide long-lasting protection,” Dr. Kasper says.

But COVID-19 vaccines weren’t the only answer to the medical community’s Pandemic response. Dr. Kasper says medical providers have refined their approach to offering therapeutics to people with COVID.

“We know which people are at-risk of becoming quite ill, and when they become ill we know how to treat them. We’ve seen much better responses,” Dr. Kasper says. “Now we’ve had consistently low COVID hospitalizations for around six months.”

But where do we go from here? COVID-19 cases haven’t magically disappeared, and people are still getting sick with the virus. Dr. Kasper says this new era of COVID response must become much more individual.

“Your ability to receive a booster is going to be based on your age, the prior shots you’ve received, and your chronic medical conditions,” Dr. Kasper says. “These broad constructs of requiring vaccine for travel or employment have been removed because it’s no longer seen as a broad group, it’s seen as an individual decision.”

Dr. Kasper says these past three years will help health care providers communicate emergency response more efficiently. He hopes the communication systems that are now in place help avoid any delay in testing, access to care, therapeutics and vaccines.

“Worldwide surveillance and information sharing is something that’s developed very quickly in COVID. Some has been through social media, some has been through rapid development with public health departments and national groups,” Dr. Kasper says.

While the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration is ending, many resources like COVID tests and vaccines are still available. Dr. Kasper recommends speaking with your health care provider on which options are the best for you.

Video Interview Clips

Every year Merriam-Webster adds new words to the dictionary, often those that have made their way into everyday language and pop culture.

While it’s not officially on the list, the term “tripledemic” is certainly a strong contender. The word was coined to describe the near simultaneous increase in COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, cases. Millions across the country have been getting sick at an alarming rate earlier than normal, particularly for flu, putting increased pressure on health care systems across the country.

Young children, those under two-years-old, are particularly susceptible to RSV, as well as those with other chronic health conditions. Children typically develop anything from cold-like symptoms to a more severe cough or even trouble breathing.

Dr. Keith Hanson, a pediatrician with Peoria, Illinois-based OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, says RSV is doing what RSV has done for decades, but we have become a little bit complacent because kids weren’t really sick for the last couple years due to COVID-19 lockdowns, limitations and mask-wearing.

“It definitely is more severe than other years, more patients, but every three to four years we kind of have a busy year anyway, whether it's from RSV or flu or other viruses. So it's not unusual by a five-year trend to have a lot more patients,” says Dr. Hanson.

One of the challenges from an infectious disease perspective is that what may start as RSV or the flu, whether it be a child or an adult, can get a lot worse because of secondary bacterial infections.

“So the bacteria is taking advantage of going down to deep in your lungs. Going to the sterile sites better – ears, sinuses and other soft tissues. You don't think that the viral infection(s) are only some of the problem but the complications are also the problem,” explains Dr. Mustafa Bakir with OSF HealthCare.

As a pediatric infectious disease specialist, Dr. Bakir wants to reassure parents that – for the most part – they should not be overly concerned about the increase in cases of COVID-19, flu and RSV in kids, unless their child has other conditions that affect their immune system.

But both he and Dr. Hanson agree parents DO need to be attentive to any symptoms their child might have because there isn’t a magic pill that can cure any of them.

“It's not like an antibiotic you can take and be better in two or three days, they may shorten your illness, maybe a little bit less severe, but it's not going to make you feel a lot better very quickly or necessarily prevent transmission. There's not much we can do for all these viral illnesses besides supportive care and contain the spread,” says Dr. Hanson. “Do they have a fever or trouble breathing? Or are they not drinking enough? Those are the same kind of things that you would have watched for anytime. And it's the same now. So even though these things are in the news, we are seeing more cases, the average person, especially if you don’t have any other medical conditions, doesn't have to do anything that you would be doing otherwise as a parent and just kind of watch out for those common things.”

With the winter respiratory season far from over, and in the wake of holiday get-togethers and travel, and with schools set to get back into session, a few of the COVID-era prevention strategies that have fallen by the wayside are recommended by both doctors.

Dr. Bakir stresses “Don't go to public places if you're sick, if your kid is sick. Don't take your kid to public places. This is going to protect your kid as well. He needs to be a home and take some rest. And sanitation of your hands. Please, please use a mask. It's a very simple, cheap and very effective way to prevent the disease.”

Adds Dr. Hanson: “Vaccination can't be emphasized enough for influenza, for COVID, if eligible depending on the age. Unfortunately there isn't one for RSV, though. It's been under researched for many years. The benefits of vaccination greatly outweigh the risks, not just for yourself, because it’s going to reduce transmission, reduces various illness, but also preventing continued spread in our communities.”

If your child or any family member is running a high fever or is having difficulty breathing, you are encouraged to contact your primary care physician or seek urgent/emergency care if necessary. OSF HealthCare has also established a remote monitoring program for infants and toddlers with RSV through OSF OnCall Digital Health.

Dr. Keith Hanson interview clips

Dr. Mustafa Bakir interview clips

On July 23, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a global health emergency. As of July 29, 4,907 cases of monkeypox have been identified in the United States. This includes 396 in the state of Illinois – an increase of 350 cases in just a month, with Michigan going from just a single case a month ago to 28.  Two children have now tested positive for the disease, a toddler in California and an infant in Washington, D.C. 

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus. When someone is infected, the illness presents with flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches and exhaustion, which then progresses to a painful rash and lesions. The illness typically lasts between two to four weeks.

While the current monkeypox outbreak is growing, the CDC maintains the risk for contracting monkeypox is low for the general public. OSF HealthCare infectious disease physician Dr. Douglas Kasper agrees. He says the virus spreads only after what he calls “intimate exposure” with someone who is acutely ill with the virus.

“Monkeypox lesions are infective when they are presently draining, or monkeypox can be infective by respiratory droplets. Respiratory droplets travel a very short distance,” explains Dr. Kasper. “You would either have to be touching somebody, you would have to have face to face contact, or you would have to share towels or linens with them when they are acutely infective to have a significant exposure.”

Another concern - monkeypox, like other pox-related viruses, can travel between humans and animals. Dr. Kasper says the main goal currently is stopping the spread of monkeypox before it becomes a recurring problem in the population.

“While we don't want humans to get infected, we also don't want to establish a reservoir within animals, particularly rodents within our area. So we're looking to stop monkeypox infection so that people remain healthy, but we also don't want it to become endemic into our environment,” he says.

There is a vaccine available to treat monkeypox, and drug manufacturers are ramping up production. Nearly two million doses are expected to be delivered before years end, enough to vaccinate 950,000 people.

For people already suffering from pandemic fatigue, the news of another unusual virus circulating could bring on feelings of dread or depression. Dr. Kasper says while cases of monkeypox spreading in the U.S. certainly isn’t welcome news, it is a different situation than COVID-19 in many ways.

First, and most importantly, this isn’t a novel virus. Scientists are familiar with pox-based viruses including monkeypox. While there are no plans to widely distribute a vaccine, as case numbers remain very low, an effective one does exist.

Secondly, the way monkeypox spreads makes it less contagious than COVID-19, keeping the risk level low for the general population.

“These are common things that have circulated and they're all exposure based. This falls in that same risk profile,” says Dr. Kasper. “Where SARS-CoV-2 was so different is that it spread incredibly quickly and it has modes of spread that include airborne, which means people who were not in direct contact or close contact could become infected. Underscoring monkeypox is really that intimate level of contact that's necessary for a very high risk exposure.”

Anyone who believes they have been exposed to monkeypox should contact their primary care provider.

To learn more about monkeypox, including current case numbers in the United States, visit cdc.gov.

Interview Clips - Dr. Douglas Kasper