The cold weather packing hospitals

PORT ST. LUCIE - Thee chill in the air is keeping hospitals busy.

Thanks to the drop in temperature in South Florida, St. Lucie Medical Center is seeing an increase in the number of patients with colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Dr. Rudy Lindner says ever since it got chilly, his emergency room has been full of patients with low immune systems who went out into the cold and got sick.

"If you are predisposed for colds or other diseases you should not go into public," Lindner said.

"It's knocked me down, I don't feel like eating and nothing tastes good," said patient Dorothy Troccoli. 

Although doctors report a decrease in swine flu, they warn that you shouldn't lower your guard. Several counties are offering free H1N1 shots.

Free Shots for people older than 6 months:

MARTIN COUNTY - January 9th from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Martin County Health Department, Stuart

ST. LUCIE COUNTY - January 9th from 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at "An Encounter with Jesus," Fort Pierce

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY - January 9th from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Indian River County Health Department, Vero Beach.