Flu Season Arrives Early, How Bad Is It?

A sign in the entry of the the Mayo Clinic Health System hospital in Mankato, Minn., spells out visitor restrictions that have been implemented to curb the spread of influenza. Mayo Health Systems recently put the restrictive policy in place in 15 hospitals in southern Minnesota and South Dakota because of the flu outbreak. (AP Photo/Mankato Free Press, John Cross)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Jan 10, 2013 at 12:14 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 10, 2013 at 12:14 PM CDT

NEW YORK (AP) — The flu season arrived early in the U.S. this year, but health officials and experts say it's too early to say this will be a bad one.

Experts say evidence so far is pointing to a moderate flu season — it just looks worse because last year's season was so mild.

Flu usually doesn't blanket the country until late January or February. Now, it's already widespread in more than 40 states. That could change when the next government report comes out Friday.

There are a few factors complicating the situation. The main flu virus this year tends to make people sicker. And there are other bugs out there causing flu-like illnesses. So what some people are calling the flu may, in fact, be something else.

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