FLU SEASON: NOW IS THE TIME TO PREPARE

Medical authorities in Missouri and Illinois say it is time for high-risk individuals to get their flu shots.

The flu season normally begins in late November or early December and continues until early April, said Charlotte Craig, director of the Cape Girardeau County Public Heath Service. Craig said the sooner a person is immunized the sooner protection against flu will begin.

Influenza is a viral infection of the nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs. Flu symptoms include fever, chills, cough, and soreness and aching in the back, arms and legs. Although most people are ill for only a few days some persons with flu get a much more serious illness and may need to be hospitalized.

"We finished our fall flu clinics in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Delta earlier this month," said Craig. "We gave around 550 shots to senior citizens, who are among those at risk to influenza."

Flu shots were given in October and early this month in Missouri and Illinois to older people and others who are high risk. Although the public flu clinics in the area have ended, Craig said other high-risk people who have not been immunized can still get their flu shots.

"You've still have time to get your shot now so you'll develop protection this winter," she said. "But you should contact your physician as soon as possible."

Craig said people in the highrisk group include:

Adults and children with chronic disorders of the heart and lungs, including children with asthma;

Residents of nursing homes or other chroniccare facilities, and otherwise healthy people who are about 65 or older;

Physicians, nurses and other personnel who have contact with highrisk patients;

Providers of home care for highrisk patients, including home-care nurses and members of their immediate family, including children.

Anyone who wants to reduce the chance of acquiring the flu, especially pregnant women, persons infected with HIV, and people who travel a lot.

Although considered safe and effective, physicians say there are some individuals who should not receive a flu shot under any circumstances. They include people who are allergic to eggs, those who have a history of bad reactions to flu vaccine, or those who are ill with a fever.

Craig said this year vaccines are being given to protect against three strains: A/Taiwan, A/Beijing and B/Panama. These are the three strains that medical authorities expect to be in the U.S. this winter.

She cautioned that this year's flu shots only protect against the three strains expected to be prevalent in this country this winter. "There are a lot of other flu viruses out there, so it's possible someone might come down with a different strain of the flu even if they have received this year's immunization," said Craig.

Only a few flu cases were reported last year in Southeast Missouri. Craig said the number was small and it was not considered a significant problem.

On a related health topic, Craig said at this time no cases of pertussis, better known as whooping cough, have been reported in Southeast Missouri. Earlier this month, the Missouri Department of Health advised that children be immunized against whooping cough following a pertussis outbreak in eastern Kansas.

But Craig said children are supposed to be immunized for whooping cough at birth, at the age of 1, and before entering school.

She said state health department records indicate between 95 to 96 percent of preschool and schoolage children in Cape Girardeau County have received their required immunizations.

Craig said problems arise when parents do not have their child immunized or fail to have the full series of shots given to their children.

Whooping cough "is not unheard of in this area," she said. "Last year, I believe we had about five cases in this area, but not all of them were in Cape County."

Although whooping cough can be a life-threatening disease to infants and young children, Craig said protection is easily obtained by getting all of the required shots.

The symptoms are similar to the common cold, except for the dry cough that gives the disease its common name. Complications include pneumonia and seizures.