DESPITE WHEEZES, NO CONFIRMED FLUE CASES IN AREA

There have been no confirmed influenza cases in the immediate area, but many patients have "flu-like" symptoms -- aches, fever, chills, wheezing.

"We've been swamped," said Pat Pennington, nurse manager of emergency service Southeast Missouri Hospital.

"We're seeing a lot of patients with upper respiratory problems," said Pennington. "We had a 30 percent increase of patients Sunday, over a normal Sunday."

St. Francis Medical Center also reported an increase of patients last weekend. Symptoms included coughs and fever.

"Patients of all ages are coming in," said Jay Wolz of the St. Francis Public Relations Department. Wolz pointed out, however, that the patient load is about the same as that of a year ago.

Many Cape Girardeau doctors' offices were filled with people with cold symptoms Monday.

Moving in waves around the country various strains of influenza have spread to 38 states so far this season, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Ga.

In only two states -- Colorado and Pennsylvania -- have flu breaks been considered widespread. Schools in some areas, including Pennsylvania, had to close early for the Christmas holidays because so many students and teachers were absent.

"We haven't had any confirmed cases of influenza in the Cape Girardeau County area," said Jane Wernsman, assistant director of the Cape Girardeau Public Health Center. "But there are numerous cases of patients with the flu-like symptoms."

People older than 65 and others in high-risk health groups may need a second flu shots if the first one they received came from a batch which was subsequently recalled. Testing has indicated that some lots of a vaccine made by Parke-Davis Fluogen had decreased potency.

Numerous news reports have left the impression that all who received these vaccines should receive a second vaccination. This is not necessarily so, said Bryan Norman, assistant bureau chief for the Bureau of Immunization, Missouri Department of Health.

Based on information available at the time of the vaccine recall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration did not recommend re-immunization of individuals who had received the recalled lots.

The priority for immunization this late in the vaccination season is for the high-risk, unimmunized individuals. Individuals with a chronic disease, such as heart condition or respiration disease, could also receive a second vaccination.

Re-immunization of other individuals is not recommended by the CDC and FDA.

Even if patients are re-immunized at this point, flu shots take about two weeks to start working. Flu shots are usually given in September or October to cover the entire flu season.

The peak flu season runs from December to March.