The 2019 flu season is getting of to an early start as several cases of the virus have already been reported in Acadiana.
But Regional Medical Director Tina Stefanski says "we can't predict if it's going to be busier than usual season."
To help keep the virus from spread it's important that once you start feeling sick or are running a fever to stay home from school or work.
And if you notice someone close to you at work calls in sick make sure to disinfect your desk and the surrounding area.
Stefanski says "the interesting thing about the flu is that you can get people sick before your symptoms develop so if you were in contact with someone who had the flu know that you could have gotten sick as a result of exposure to them."
Experts say that if you are sick start taking anti-viral medicines to help battle the illness and only those that are high risk or have another medical conditions need to see a doctor or go to a clinic to get check out.
Then after 3-4 days when you start to feel better Stefanski advises "once you stop taking medication and your fever is gone for 24 hours" you can head back to school or work.
