NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Several counties across Tennessee are starting to report heavy cases of flu, with Davidson County seeing the most cases so far.

Video: Flu Season Hits Tennessee

Experts predict the situation will get worse this season before it gets better.

Kathryn Weaver, a pharmacist at a local Target store, said people are coming in complaining of high fever, congestion, aches and pains.

"Generally it expands exponentially, so we expect to see a lot of people getting ill because it's cold, and they stay indoors and spread the illness,” said pharmacist Kathryn Weaver.

But over-the-counter medication provides little relief.

"They are miserable, so we really encourage them to go see their physician,” said Weaver.

Doctors continue to urge the effectiveness and importance of flu shots.

"While it’s true that people most at risk are elderly and infants, but anyone could come down with a severe case of the flu or other complications. So people shouldn't assume they are protected because they are young and healthy,” said Dr. Kelly Moore of the Tennessee Department of Health.

Each year the flu sends 114,000 people to the hospital and leads to 36,000 deaths in the United States.

At this point it's too early to determine the severity of this year’s flu strain, but it's not worth the risk, especially when it's a virus that is preventable, doctors say.

"Flu seasons are impossible to predict. We are seeing it start up just now, so that means it could carry into February, March and into April. That is something we've seen in years past," said Moore.

Last week 14 flu samples from across the state were tested, with five coming from Nashville. Half of the tested samples were positive for the virus.