COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) - 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 today after the holiday break at public schools in Branch County and in most districts across the state. But parents are being warned that if they are sick, they shouldn’t be sent back until they are well.

It’s been widely reported that the flu-virus has hit early and hit hard this season. How do you know if they’re o-k to go to school it’s the mom test do they look sick. That’s what infectious Disease Specialist Dr. David Dobbie says adding that children, especially young ones have poor hygiene habits because they may not have had much experience of dealing with the influenza virus in the past and as with many respiratory infections, they spread very efficiently in children. Three children have died in Michigan because flu or its complications this season, including a 6-year old girl in Hillsdale County on Christmas Eve