ATLANTA, GA — At least four people have died and more than 300 have been hospitalized in Georgia from illness related to a flu outbreak that state medical officials say is widespread.

Those numbers are expected to increase, too, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. The department is urging anyone who has not yet gotten a flu shot to do so as soon as possible. "It is not too late to get a flu shot," said Dr. J. Patrick O'Neal, the department's commissioner. "Every individual over the age of six months should get a flu vaccine – not just for their own protection, but to protect others around them who may be more vulnerable to the flu and its complications."

Georgia is one of several states around the country where flu has hit hard. Experts believe the current flu season — which extends from Oct. 1, 2017 through May 19, 2018 — will be particularly bad. This year, the predominant strain of flu circulating in Georgia and around the country is influenza A, or H3N2. This strain can be particularly hard on the very young, people over age 65, or those with existing medical conditions. H3N2 is one of the strains contained in this year's flu vaccine along with two or three others, depending on the vaccine.

Flu symptoms and their intensity can vary from person to person, and can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. If you think you have the flu, call or visit your doctor. In some cases, healthcare providers may recommend the use of antivirals such as Tamiflu or Relenza. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that fight against the flu in your body. Antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within two days of getting sick.

Antivirals are used to treat those at high risk for flu complications — young children, the elderly, individuals with underlying medical conditions and women who are pregnant. Most otherwise-healthy people who get the flu, however, do not need to be treated with antiviral drugs.

The Department of Public Health provided a list of ways to help prevent the flu: