FLU SEASON ALMOST HERE

With fall comes the realization that flu season is just around the corner.

The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta haven't issued a forecast on how severe the flu season might be. But they have determined what strains of influenza most likely will predominate.

Mary Kay Hager of the Missouri Health Department said this year's flu vaccine has components of Type A-Johannesburg, Type A-Texas and Type B-Harbin.

Hager said death rates are higher when Type A is predominant. Both flu types have the same symptoms: fever, chills, sore throats, aching arms and legs and a non-productive cough.

"You feel like you've been run over by a Mack truck," said Pat Pennington, nursing director of Southeast Missouri Hospital's emergency services department. "That's why it's so important that people get the flu shot now instead of waiting until the last minute. Your body needs to build up some resistance, and that takes time."

At-risk populations -- the elderly and people with chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular disease -- are advised to get flu shots. "That's the best precaution they can take," Hager said.

The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Department is offering flu shots for the elderly and other at-risk people. A donation of up to $5 will be requested from people who are not eligible for Medicare.

The shots will initially be available for people over 65 and adults or children with chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular problems. Children must have an order from their physician to get the vaccinations.

Clinics will be set up from 9 to 3 at the following sites: Cape Girardeau Senior Citizens Center, 921 N. Clark, on Oct. 25; Woodard's Cafe on Oct. 26 and Jackson Nutrition Center, 402 E. Washington, on Oct. 27.

After Oct. 27, immunizations will be given at the county public health center, 1121 Linden in Cape Girardeau, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.

During the 1994-95 flu season, 344 Type A cases and 12 Type B cases were confirmed in the state.

"That's just the people that the physician or clinic sent in for lab testing," Hager said.

In addition, 44,198 cases of flu-like illnesses were confirmed in the past season.

Other than getting the vaccination, there isn't much that can be done about the flu, said Dr. Kenneth DeCoursey, a physician in St. Francis Medical Center's emergency medicine department.

Some prescriptions, if they're taken early enough, can lessen the severity of the flu, DeCoursey said, adding: "Other than that, most of the treatment is going to be symptomatic. Antibiotics aren't really going to help, because it's a virus."

Over-the-counter medications will mitigate most of the symptoms, DeCoursey said, and the infected should be prepared to feel lousy "for several days to a week or so."

Pennington cautions parents not to use aspirin to relieve their children's fever. Aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome, and ibuprofen or acetaminophen will work just as well to reduce fever.

The flu season officially lasts from November to April, Hager said, "but we start watching for it in October."

Most flu cases are seen in December, January and February.

"Every year, our patient numbers peak during the flu season," Pennington said. During the peak months, more than 3,000 people a month visit the emergency room. "That's not all flu cases, of course."

FLU SHOTS

Cape Girardeau County Health Department offers flu shots

*Oct. 25, Cape Girardeau Senior Center, 921 N. Clark, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

*Oct. 26, Woodard's Cafe in Delta, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

*Oct. 27, Jackson Nutrition Center, 402 E. Washington, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

After these dates, immunization may be received at the Cape Girardeau County Health Center, 1121 Linden, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m.

Flue shots from the health department are available to

*Adults age 65 and older

*Adults and children with chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular disorders

Others must contact their family physicians.

For more information, cal the health center at 335-7846.