The flu has not been as severe as in recent years, but it is extending into spring at historical highs, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The rate of medical visits due to the flu is double the baseline 2.2 percent, recording a 4.4 percent for the week ending March 16, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports. It is the highest mark this late in the year since the CDC began recording the data 20 years ago.

"The CDC expects flu activity to remain elevated for a number of weeks, suggesting this season is likely to be relatively long," according to the report, per USA Today. ". . . Flu activity is expected to remain elevated nationally through April."

The flu season generally runs from October to May, and 44 states have widespread flu reports, while 26 are reporting high activity.

"Influenza-like-illness levels have been at or above baseline for 17 weeks this season," CDC reported. "By this measure, the last five seasons have averaged 16 weeks, with a range of 11 to 20 weeks."

Flu symptoms include: stuffy nose, fever, cough, muscle or body aches, headaches, and tiredness.

There have been 76 flu-related pediatric deaths nationwide, according to the report.

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