(WKZO) -- Statistics show that the flu bug usually spikes after the holidays, and this year could be one of the worst in a long time.

Kids are headed back to school after the Holiday Break but parents are being warned that if they are sick, they shouldn’t be sent back until they are well. 

The Flu-virus has hit early and hit hard and Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. David Dobbie says children, especially young ones forget to wash their hands or cough into their sleeves, and that makes the lower grades a breeding ground for respiratory infections.   Three children have died in Michigan because flu or its complications this season.