ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Dr. Jurgen Upplegger is a busy man these days. Worried parents have been flooding his office, seeking help for their little ones -- concerned they have the flu.

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"We are dealing more with the small children under 2 years old who have not been immunized for the most part. We have done quite an immunization campaign, but unfortunately, early occurrence of the flu cut that short," said Upplegger, a pediatrician in Albuquerque.

He says parents should watch out for persistent high fever, aches and pains, and respiratory problems. It is also important to get treatment within 48 hours.

"After that period, it becomes a little bit questionable how the antiviral medicine would do," Upplegger said.

He also advises leaving the kiddies at home when you go Christmas shopping.

"The areas where you can pick it up are the crowded places, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, and the malls, and I advise people not to visit those places right now with the children," he said.

As far as patients flooding his office, Upplegger said the best defense is early diagnosis.