"It's severe now. It's not letting up," said Kapi'olani Medical Center pediatrician and infectious disease specialist Dr. Marian Melish.

Earlier statistics for the same period seemed to indicate a decline in the number of cases at the end of February, but the latest numbers reflect a much larger sample of doctor's offices and are considered more accurate.

Physicians say the flu is a serious illness, and that if patients can get to a doctor within 48 hours of displaying symptoms, anti-viral drugs can help reduce the length of illness and the severity of the symptoms.

Melish said she fears that many people don't take the flu seriously enough, perhaps because many less severe illnesses like colds and certain gastrointestinal ailments are commonly lumped together with it.

"The word flu has become debased. Influenza is a serious disease. It's the kind of thing you should go to the doctor for," Melish said.

Such a visit should include a test to confirm the flu diagnosis and to determine which strain of flu it is. Certain anti-viral drugs are more effective against one strain than another.

State Health Department infectious disease expert Dr. Sarah Park, deputy chief of the disease outbreak control division, said she agrees with the need for testing.

"It is important to test and confirm that the infection is due to flu, especially when considering treatment. Not all that smells and looks like flu is flu all the time; there are still hundreds of viruses out there," Park said.

Melish said that recommendations for home treatment with rest, drinking plenty of liquids and treating symptoms are good, but if you catch it early enough, there's a better option.

"Two important points are different from the past. We have rapid tests available, and we have effective anti-viral medications that will shorten the duration of symptoms very dramatically," she said.

Park said that some doctors would debate whether all patients need the anti-viral drugs, "although I don't know any who would hesitate to use these anti-virals for patients with severe disease," including respiratory problems.

Park said that the best way to deal with the flu is to avoid getting it, through flu vaccinations and good hygiene—including washing hands after contact with possibly contaminated surfaces or sick people.