Wherever you go in Chicago, it seems there’s somebody nearby with a cough, runny nose, or congestion. So, what is the city's status during the current respiratory virus season? Medical Director Dr. Brian Borah talks with Senior Epidemiologist Stephanie Gretsch about activity levels of flu, RSV, and COVID; overall trends around virus activity levels; and how to protect yourself when diseases are at elevated levels.

Find out where to get vaccinated and current respiratory illness activity in Chicago.

Dive into the data with the 2025-’26 mid-respiratory season Vaccine Coverage here.

On the last episode of the season, the two-person “Team Tobacco” Chioma Ejiofor (Public Health Administrator III) and Juan Ortega (Public Health Administrator III) discuss the difference between tobacco and nicotine, how smoking affects the brain and body, predatory marketing from the tobacco industry, and how you can get assistance should you want to quit.

Get help quitting tobacco at the Illinois Tobacco Quitline (https://www.quityes.org/) or call 1-866-QUIT-YES.

Find more smoking cessation resources at https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdph/supp_info/healthy-communities/smoking-cessation.html

On this episode, Dr. Francisco Rodriguez (CDPH Director of Mental Health Clinics) speaks with Donald “DJ” Watson (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Fables CEC) about themes surrounding men’s mental health. The conversation covers toxic masculinity, stereotypes vs. reality, cultural differences in masculinity, and how men can acknowledge personal challenges and ask for help.

DJ Watson can be reached for counseling and therapy services at FablesCEC.com.

Hablemos de las redadas migratorias. Muchas personas se vieron forzadas a mantenerse en casa; dejaron de ir a sus trabajos, a las escuelas y de realizar sus actividades cotidianas por miedo a ser detenidas en algún operativo migratorio. Ante todo esto, ¿cuáles fueron las consecuencias en su salud mental? ¿Cómo se vio afectada su estabilidad emocional ante el temor de una separación familiar?

En este episodio hablamos con el Dr. Francisco Rodríguez, director de las Clínicas de Salud Mental de CDPH, sobre cómo las familias han tenido que lidiar con el estrés y sobre las herramientas con las que cada una puede contar en casa para aliviar un poco la ansiedad que el ambiente migratorio les puede generar.

También conversamos sobre cómo acceder a cualquiera de nuestras 7 clínicas de salud mental, que ofrecen servicios a todos los residentes de Chicago, sin importar su estatus migratorio, su capacidad de pago o si tienen seguro médico. Además, contamos con la opción de terapia virtual con personal totalmente bilingüe.

Since June 1, 2025, Chicago has experienced another outbreak of mpox, with cases spiking in September. But what exactly is mpox? Further, what are the symptoms, who is at greatest risk for transmission, and what steps can people take to protect themselves? What should clinical providers know about testing and identifying mpox in practice?

In this episode, Irina ("Dr. T") Tabidze, MD, MPH (Director of Program Operations at CDPH within the Syndemic Infectious Disease Bureau) leads a discussion on everything mpox with Taylor Holly, MPH (Epidemiologist III with CDPH within the Syndemic Infectious Disease Bureau) and Jahanavi Ramakrishna, MD (Infectious Diseases Fellow with Rush University System for Health & Cook County Health). The trio of health experts discuss the clinical perspective of mpox—transmission, signs and symptoms, vaccination guidance, and testing—and how coordinated public health efforts have contributed to a recent decline in cases (spoiler alert: vaccinations!).

Visit the mpox homepage (https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdph/provdrs/infectious_disease/supp_info/mpox-home.html) on the CDPH site to answer all your mpox questions.

Visit the CDPH STI Specialty Clinics homage (https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdph/provdrs/health_services/svcs/sexual-health-services.html) for more information about free sexual health and wellness resources.

[This episode was recorded on October 29, 2025.]

In Chicago and Illinois, changes are coming to the Health Insurance Marketplace. Did you know nearly 1 in 10 Chicagoans are uninsured? With open enrollment having started on November 1 and many new questions about affordability arising, it is the perfect time to take action.

In this episode, Director Morgan Winters from Get Covered Illinois joins host Joy Macatangay, Public Health Administrator at CDPH, to break down everything you need to know about Open Enrollment. They discuss who’s eligible, how Get Covered Illinois can help you navigate the Marketplace, and what happens if you miss this important window. Plus, learn about the important resources Get Covered Illinois offers to help Chicagoans get covered.

Don’t miss out—tune in to find out how to navigate the Marketplace!

Visit https://getcovered.illinois.gov/ to learn more.

As the 2025 respiratory virus season ramps up, Illinois and Chicago health leaders share what you need to know to stay protected.

On this episode, Dr. Alexander Sloboda (CDPH’s Medical Director of Immunization and Emergency Preparedness Programs) sits down with CDPH Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo Ige and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Sameer Vohra to talk about recommended guidance for flu, COVID, and RSV vaccines; potential confusion around immunizations; and how everyone – with or without insurance – can be protected this fall and winter.

TLDR: CDPH endorses IDPH’s vaccine recommendations for the 2025-26 respiratory illness season. CDPH provides updated 2025-26 flu and COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to Chicago residents at our standing Immunization Walk-In Clinics (https://chi.gov/4noLali), as well as mobile and pop-up events across the city.

To stay informed:

Keep an eye on CDPH’s public Respiratory Virus dashboard, summarizing COVID, flu, and RSV activity levels in Chicago on a weekly basis.

Check out IDPH’s Immunizations Hub for crucial statewide resources and guidance: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/immunization.html

En las últimas semanas, los casos de mpox han aumentado en la ciudad. ¿Sabes cuáles son los síntomas a los que debes estar atento y qué hacer si crees que te contagiaste?

En este episodio, hablamos con el Dr. Jorge Cestou, Director de la Oficina de Enfermedades Infecciosas Sindémicas de CDPH. Él nos explica cómo se transmite este virus, que no es solo de transmisión sexual, sino que también puede contagiarse por contacto piel a piel con una persona infectada.

Además, nos cuenta dónde aparecen los síntomas y por qué las dos dosis de la vacuna contra el mpox son la mejor protección que tienen las personas con mayor riesgo a ser contagiadas.

Si notas una ampolla o una erupción, lo mejor es acudir al médico cuanto antes para cuidar tu salud.