Despite the late arrival of spring-like weather this year, some allergy sufferers have already felt the onset of seasonal congestion, sneezing, coughing and other symptoms, and for those who haven’t — prepare now, because it’s just around the corner.

That’s the advice of local allergists as higher temperatures forecast through Monday are expected to spur an outpouring of pollen.

“Be ready, because as the temperature gets warmer, the pollen counts will get higher,” said Dr. Mahesh Netravali of Shoreline Allergy & Asthma, a practice with offices in East Lyme and Mystic. “The worst of the season is about to start, so this is all the more reason to think now about all the different treatment options.”

From over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal sprays to prescription medications and immunotherapy shots, there are many good remedies for allergy sufferers, he said, with the right choice depending on the severity, tolerance for side effects and other factors.

Dr. George Sprecace of Allergy Associates of New London said those already experiencing allergy symptoms are reacting to molds that began growing when the snow melted. Several of his patients have been experiencing more severe mold allergy symptoms this year than in past years, he said, probably because of all the moisture left by the winter’s heavy snows.

“Now the tree pollen season is about to start, and after the cold and prolonged winter, everything will be pollinating at once when we get a few warm days,” he said.

While allergy season gets underway, both Netravali and Sprecace said, flu season isn’t over yet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Connecticut is one of five states where the virus is still “widespread,” although it is declining. The type A strain is still predominant, although type B is increasing.

Statewide, there have been 6,536 confirmed flu cases this season, including 332 confirmed cases in New London County, according to the state Department of Public Health. About 1,880 patients with the flu were hospitalized this season.

Sprecace said flu season was “both earlier and later.” He treated several patients in the fall. After a lull through the first part of winter, cases picked up again, and kept up through March.

Netravali said flu hit hardest on his patients with asthma.

Rhonda Susman, manager of infection control and prevention at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London and The Westerly Hospital, said both hospitals and their affiliated physician practices have been seeing more patients with type B flu in recent weeks, along with a stomach bug.

“There’s a lot of gastrointestinal disease out there,” she said. “The suspect virus is norovirus.”

Flu season peaked in January, she said, when 92 confirmed cases were treated at the L+M Emergency Department. Since Sept. 1, the hospital has treated 242 confirmed cases of type A flu and 12 cases of type B, she said.

As people start spending more time outdoors this spring, they should also be mindful that the ticks that carry Lyme disease are already active. Netravali said he’s had a few patients in recent weeks with tick bites.

“They’re already out there,” he said. “People need to remember to check themselves” when they come in from outdoors.

j.benson@theday.com

Twitter: @BensonJudy