WITH THE ONSLAUGHT OF THE FLU SEASON, IT'S IMPORTANT TO SEEK PROTECTION, EARLY TREATMENT

Are you feeling crummy? You're not alone. Influenza and other respiratory illnesses have taken the country by storm, and Southeast Missouri has not been exempt. Local doctors' offices and hospitals have been overrun.

Influenza symptoms differ from the common cold. They are more pronounced with fever of 104 degrees or higher, headaches, muscle aches, chills, cough and congestion. Influenza is a viral infection that affects the upper-respiratory system.

One of the best preventatives for the flu has proved to be the flu shot, which many Americans make part of their annual health regime. A 1995 study revealed that healthy working adults missed fewer days of work thanthose who didn't take the shot.

For those who have the flu, new drugs introduced this winter are proving to be effective. Demand for prescription flu drugs has been high. Some pharmacists are having trouble keeping the new drugs in stock. The drugs diminish the severity of symptoms by half for both Influenza A or B. They also reduce the time of the infection by about one-third.

But time is a factor with these new drugs: They must be taken within 48 hours after symptoms appear. To ensure that symptoms are truly the flu and not one of the many other types of viruses and infections, local doctors and hospitals can perform a nasal swab test.

With the impact of the current flu season, every precaution needs to be taken. If you haven't had a flu shot, get one. If you get flu symptoms, don't wait to seek medical attention.