Lake County man dies as result of H1N1 flu complications

A 74-year-old Gurnee man with medical problems has died of complications from the H1N1 flu virus.

Lake County Health Department officials announced Thursday afternoon that the man was in a hospital when he died Tuesday, June 2. Statewide, the unidentified man is the fifth swine flu fatality.

Health department spokeswoman Leslie Piotrowski said the agency's privacy policy prevented release of the man's name or the hospital where he died.

Officials described the man as having "significant medical conditions" that increased his vulnerability to the H1N1 virus. His death was attributed to complications from the flu virus.

H1N1 symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. The health department is stressing the importance of hand washing to prevent the transmission of illness.

More than 120 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Lake County, according to the health department. Officials said there likely are many more unreported cases.