MURRAY — Feeling sick? You're not alone.

Utah has seen a big spike in severe flu cases, with 829 reported hospitalizations statewide, according to data from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4. That's up nearly 300 cases from the week before.

"This feels like the most flu that I've seen in the last couple of years," Dr. Tom Nelson, medical director of the emergency department at Intermountain Medical Center, said.

Nelson said anyone can be affected by influenza — no matter how healthy one is — but children, the elderly, pregnant people, and those with underlying health conditions are most at risk.

"The flu can get pretty dangerous pretty quickly," he said. "It's not uncommon to get secondary infections, so people can get the flu, and then they'll develop pneumonia."

Watch for a sudden onset fever, body aches, sore throat, and a dry cough. While there's no cure, you can manage your symptoms through rest, hydration, and fever relievers like Tylenol or ibuprofen.

Helpful prevention tips include proper hand hygiene and getting a flu shot.

"The flu vaccine keeps people out of the hospital in the first place. Those that are hospitalized, it keeps them out of the intensive care unit," Nelson said. "It's never too late to get your flu vaccine if you haven't done it."

You can find a flu shot clinic near you by visiting immunize.utah.gov.

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