FEW FLU CASES SEEN DESPITE VACCINE DELAYS

Local doctors are reporting a dramatic drop in flu cases just months after they worried over the delay in influenza vaccine deliveries.

But severely contagious gastro-intestinal and upper respiratory viruses -- often mistaken for the flu -- are pummeling Cape Girardeau County residents and clearing out classrooms.

County medical professionals reported only 33 confirmed cases of the flu for the first three weeks of January. Health department records show 183 confirmed cases for all of January 1999. But there have been 323 reports of flu-like illnesses for those first three weeks compared to only 316 for all of last January.

The difference between influenza and other viruses or bacterial infections is obvious, said Charlotte Craig, health department director.

"If you're back to work in a couple of days, you didn't have the flu," she said. "The flu knocks you out for a week. Your bones hurt. Your skin hurts. You can't get off the couch."

Craig said her department's flu count isn't scientific because it relies on reports from doctors' offices, school nurses and emergency rooms, and some victims don't seek treatment. But the numbers are convincing enough to have her baffled over the correlation of late flu vaccination and the low number of cases.

Only a few had been reported in the county by the end of December, typically a devastating month for the flu. Neighboring Scott County health officials reported the same thing.

A problem during development of one flu strain for the vaccine delayed shot clinics, typically held in mid-September, until November, when boxes of vaccine began to trickle into the county. Flu season in Missouri is November through April and generally peaks in January.

But the slowdown in flu infections is little comfort to parents struggling with sick children at home. Jim Dufek, television operations manager for Southeast Missouri State University, cared for his wife and three children, all suffering with severe coughs and congestion this month.

"I had the flu last winter for seven weeks," he said. "I've been exposed to everything in my house and not been sick, so maybe I paid my dues."

School absenteeism high

Schools in the area reported high absenteeism this week. Alma Schrader Elementary School nurse Theresa Ladd said she had seen 182 students -- more than a quarter of the enrollment -- with flu-like symptoms but had no confirmed cases of flu. The Clippard Elementary School nurse said she sent 11 children home sick Thursday.

Nurses at all the public elementary schools said fever, coughs and headaches were the most common ailments. Viral infections in some students turned to bronchitis and pneumonia.

Craig advised that those who fall ill shouldn't try to be brave and go to work. Instead of risking infecting classmates or co-workers, they should either rest at home or seek medical attention.

Staff writer Tamara Buck contributed to this report.

TAKE IT EASY

Health department director Charlotte Craig advises those who think they have the flu to stay home from work or school and call the doctor. Although nothing will make a virus go away, there are new anti-viral medications that shorten the duration of illness and alleviate some of the symptoms.

The key, she says, is "don't be a trooper."