The Fayette County Health Department says the flu has officially arrived, but there is still plenty of time to get that flu shot before the most active season gets here.
Lexington health officials confirmed the first case Monday.
"What this means is that the flu is here. It always shows up after Thanksgiving as we head into the December holidays," Health Department spokesperson Kevin Hall says. "In Kentucky the peak season isn't until January and into February, so there's still a lot of time left before you can really start seeing those numbers increase."
In 2013, Lexington had 109 confirmed cases of the flu.
While the symptoms – fever, body aches, and sore throats – are more serious than those accompanying the common cold, health officials don’t necessarily recommend racing to the doctor at the first sign of infection. Instead, they say most patients can recuperate at home with over-the-counter medicines in about a week.
Those with compromised immune systems, generally very young or elderly patients, are, however, urged to see a physician if symptoms are consistent with the flu.
