Medication tough to find as flu continues to spread

"We're seeing a surprising number of patients who were vaccinated and are still affected by the virus," he said. "We think the vaccine is not a perfect match with strains that are coming through the area."

Alger said she noticed improvement after the first dose on the new drug.

"Last night after my first dosing, my cough had improved, as well as the irritation in my chest," she said.

After three doses, Derek Peterson dramatically recovered. He was really sick. In fact, initially, he could hardly make it to north Foothill Clinic for his first treatment. 

"I mean, I curled up in a ball in a fetal position, just miserable," he said. "I was like that the entire first day."

It appears to work against a variety of influenzas, including bird flu and the so-called para-influenza bugs. Since the compound is a derivative from natural human flora, the mist produces no allergic reactions.

If the third-stage clinical trials prove out, the FDA could approve the compound within the year under its "fast-track" program. The Utah study group is looking for more volunteers to test the new drug. For more information go to www.jlewisresearch.com or call 801-480-9392.

Contributing: Jennifer Stagg and Carole Mikita

E-mail: eyeates@desnews.com