It was sometimes difficult to distinguish between the flu and the common cold, but generally a cold was not as severe, and did not have such symptoms such as a fever, chills, muscle aches, runny nose, cough and stomach upsets.
"At this time of year when the flu is around, the sicker you are the more likely it you have the flu rather than another virus."
He advised people who felt unwell to stay away from the workplace until their temperature had gone down, and until at least 24 hours after they were feeling well again.
Although the flu could be spread a day before people realised they had it, it was most infectious in the first 48 hours of contracting it, and sufferers could still spread the virus five to seven days later, Dr Burns said.
"It spreads through droplets, which is why we advise people to wash their hands frequently and to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue or their elbow if they are coughing and sneezing."
If people were in the high-risk group, aged over 65, under five, or pregnant, and felt unwell he said they should not delay and get to their doctor as soon as possible.
Paediatrician and acting HB Hospital chief medical officer Russell Wills echoed this advice and said the emergency department had been hit with high volumes of admissions this week, coupled with a lack of adult ward beds.
"That combination happens only occasionally, and it happens in hospitals all around the world, especially in winter."
He said people who were well enough were encouraged to go home, with home support if needed, and that all hospital staff were working hard to create that space.
Across the country, Dr Burns said this was an average flu season, but Hawke's Bay was seeing slightly more impact than last winter when it was very quiet compared to the five years prior.
It was not over yet, however, with cases expected to continue through to September.