While the number of cases is higher than this time last year and growing, Utah's still not seeing what you would call an epidemic, department spokesman Cody Craynor said. Still, "we hope people will take this seriously."

The numbers "may be a harbinger of a more severe season," said Sundwall, who added that it could also peter out early.

State experts predict the season "probably will not be mild," Mottice added.

A graph of each flu season looks different, she said, making it impossible to predict: Some look like dunce caps with a steep increase and drop-off. Others look more like a bell curve. And occasionally, there are two consecutive curves as first one type then the other type run through a community.

The vast majority of current cases are type A, which is typical.

Also typical is the timing of the flu this year. It generally appears between Thanksgiving and Christmas, as it did this year. It could peak any time, although February is common.

On Wednesday, health officials gathered at a state health clinic to brief news media. Licensed practical nurse Kathleen Hogan spoke of the importance of prevention measures.

"If you're sick," she said, "stay home. If you're coughing and sneezing, use a tissue and throw it away, then wash your hands. Or sneeze into your elbow. And do great hand washing."

Influenza-related deaths are not reportable to the health department unless they involve children, Sundwall said. And it's difficult to count because people often die not of influenza but of related complications, such as pneumonia.

People who believe they have influenza may want to see their doctor, said state health officials. There are prescription antiviral medications that can reduce severity and duration of symptoms, but they have to be given within two days of symptom onset. Otherwise, it's a matter of managing symptoms, including rest, drinking lots of liquid, avoiding alcohol and tobacco and taking medication to relieve symptoms.

For information on influenza or to track Utah's flu activity, go online to www.health.utah.gov/flu.

---

E-mail: lois@desnews.com