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KINGSFORD -- Flu season strikes every year, and it's already been officially reported in the Upper Peninsula.  However, was the case in Chippewa County really the first case of the flu in the U.P.?

"When we talk about the first reported case, we're talking about a laboratory-confirmed case of influenza," said Linda Piper, health officer for the Dickinson-Iron County Health Department.  "We may hear about cases in the community prior to having that laboratory confirmation."

Influenza is a communicable respiratory disease that is commonly passed in the winter due to people staying inside more and kids being in school.  Symptoms are similar to having a cold and include:

Fever
Soreness
Cough
Headache
Sore throat

So what about the symptoms of the so-called stomach flu?

"That's a misnomer," Piper said.  "Influenza is respiratory.  People who talk about the stomach flu are often talking about a gastrointestinal virus."

Influenza itself is dangerous, as it can often lead to pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.  Over 30,000 Americans die every year due to flu-related illness.

Flu shots are a common preventative method, and people usually start getting them in October from their doctor or their local health department.  However, this year, the health departments in the U.P. are offering an alternative for those who qualify.  Instead of the shot, this form of the vaccine is intranasal.  It's just as effective as the traditional injection, but requires no needles and takes nearly no time to administer.  It's also being offered at no charge thanks to donations of the vaccine to more rural areas.

Regardless of which method of vaccination you opt for, officials strongly suggest that you get immunized.  The immunization takes two weeks to become effective after you receive it.  However, since Upper Michigan's flu season doesn't usually peak until mid-February, there's still time to get a flu shot.