JEFFERSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - With temperatures rising, the American Red Cross would like residents to know what the heat-related terms mean and some general care for heat emergencies.

The Red Cross have the following definition for these heat-related terms:

• Heat cramps - muscular pains and spasms that usually occur in the legs or abdomen. They are caused by exposure to heat and humidity, and loss of fluids. Heat cramps are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
• Heat exhaustion - typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - Governor Pat Quinn has made over 120 state facilities into cooling centers throughout the state of Illinois as part of the Keep Cool Illinois campaign.

The cooling centers will be open during normal business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Jefferson County cooling center is located at 333 Potomac Boulevard in Mt. Vernon, Ill.

St. Mary's Good Samaritan has also opened their campus in Centralia and the Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mt. Vernon as cooling centers for the public.

Residents can use the Main lobby, Snack shop/Canteen and Cafeteria at both facilities. This is an open invitation through the duration of extreme heat.

For a complete list of these cooling center you can click here.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold announced Thursday hospitals in Illinois have reported fewer health care-associated infections in 2010 compared to 2009.

The IDPH analyzed central line-associated bloodstream infection data as part of the Illinois Hospital Report Card, and found more than 75 percent of Illinois hospitals had the same number or fewer infection cases in 2010 than in 2009.

They say in 2009, 383 bloodstream infections were reported in adult intensive care units in Illinois and 282 were reported in 2010.

“Although results are only for two years, they indicate a significant step forward in the prevention of infection and protection of Illinois patients,” said Dr. Arnold. “Hospital surveillance of infections and public reporting on the Illinois Hospital Report Card Web site play key roles in prevention efforts.