Doctors Predict Flu Season to be Worse Than Normal

Just last week, the Arkansas Department of Health reported its first flu death of the year in the Natural State.

With more people coughing and sneezing their way through the holidays, a new report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows the flu will likely be around long after the tree comes down.

Dr. William Schaffner, with Vanderbilt University, says, "I think we're in for quite an influenza season. It's starting early and it's called by this so-called H3N2 virus. It's the kind of virus that produces a more severe illness."

The number of states reporting widespread flu activity doubled last week to 8. States reporting regional flu activity, including Arkansas, also doubled.

Hospitalizations due to the flue are higher than normal.

"Flu can hit anyone and put them in the intensive care unit in 48 hours," says Dr. Schaffner.

The elderly and young children are often hit the hardest. Last week, 3 children died from the flu, bringing the total number of pediatric deaths to five this season.

Children under the age of 6 months are too young to get a flu shot, so doctors recommend everyone around them get vaccinated.

"We've still got 20 million doses of influenza vaccine in refrigerators across the country, they can't prevent flu until they get into arms."

Doctors say it is not too late to get a flu shot and that the vaccine appears to be a good match for the especially strong strain that is circulating this year.

If you are one of the unlucky ones who catches the flu, doctors recommend staying home for at least two days, taking medicine for your fever and drinking plenty of water.