20 new flu deaths this week in NC brings season total to 95

Dr. Ravi Jhaveri, with North Carolina Children's Hospital, said it is possible for a person to get the flu more than once.

"Because there are multiple strains of the flu, it is possible that someone might get sick with an influenza A strain earlier in the year, and then perhaps get an influenza B strain later in the year," he said. "It's why we're still emphasizing that there's time for people to get the vaccine."

The problem, Jhaveri says, is that the flu can be contagious before someone shows symptoms. However, a person is most contagious when he or she feels the worst.

"So, for that two to three days when people are the most sick, they're pretty wiped out, but that's when you're the most contagious," he said.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some people — such as older people, young children and people with certain health conditions — are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.

Flu germs live on hard surfaces for 24 hours. WakeMed Infectious Disease Director Jessica Dixon said hard surface transfer is the most likely way to come in contact with germs.

"I encourage people to remember high touch surfaces, so things that you touch a lot: light switches - door knobs, remote controls, cell phones," she said. "A big thing now with kids, tablets, iPads, those devices that they carry around."

Germs on skin or soft surfaces live for around 15 minutes.

Using hand sanitizer when you aren't able to get to a bathroom with hot water and soap is the next best thing to hand washing in the defense against germs.

According to Dr. John Vaughn, director of student health services at Duke University, this year's flu is more prevalent, but it is not necessarily more severe.

He only recommends Tamiflu for people with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly and young children.

He doesn't necessarily recommend it for people with robust immune systems.

"It shortens the course by about a day," he said. "But on the flip side, medications all have side effects. It's always a matter of balancing potential side effects with the potential of having the flu for another day."

It is not too late in the season to get a flu shot. The flu season can run into May.