The one thing we can count on about flu season is that it is hard to predict. Whether the new flu season turns out to be severe, mild or in-between, being proactive about your health is a smart step in the defense of the flu.

“Influenza season is always unpredictable. It generally runs from October through March. Since it takes about two to three weeks to get the maximum protection from the flu vaccination, it is good to be vaccinated early in the season,” said Dr. Tammy S. Lundstrom, chief medical officer for Premier Health Partners. “Annually about 36,000-48,000 people die of influenza, and many more are hospitalized.”

Dr. Sherman Alter, medical director of Infectious Disease at Dayton Children’s, said that the best method to prevent a person from getting the flu is to receive this year’s flu vaccine.

“The vaccine is recommended for all persons over the age of six months. Increased efforts should be made to definitely vaccinate young children under the age of 5 years, individuals with underlying chronic or immune compromising conditions, adults in contact with young children (parents, grandparents, teachers and child care center workers), health care personnel and pregnant women,” Alter said.

People who have received the flu vaccine have a decreased risk of getting the flu, Alter said.

“The vaccine’s protective effect is related to how well the viruses in the vaccine match those strains that are circulating in the community. While protection from the vaccine in some years may be better than those in other years, receipt of the vaccine is still the best way to prevent a person from getting infected with the flu virus,” Alter said.

Lundstrom said that the flu shot, like all vaccines, is not 100 percent protective, but studies show that if a person does get the flu after — not from — a flu shot, he she will get a milder case of the flu.

“Response to the flu vaccine is better in otherwise healthy younger people. Babies less than six months old cannot be immunized, and many people with weakened immune systems respond less well to vaccination. For this reason, vaccination not only protects us, it protects our families and loved ones, as well,” Lundstrom said.

In addition to being vaccinated, people can protect themselves from the flu with good manners and common sense.

“Since the germs are spread when people cough or sneeze, advise family members and co-workers to cover their mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing,” Lundstrom said. “Influenza virus can be picked up on the hands from contaminated surfaces; we then touch our eyes or nose or mouth and get the flu. This can be prevented by washing hands frequently with soap and water or by using waterless hands sanitizers that contain at least 60 percent alcohol.”

To minimize the spread of the flu to others, people who are sick with the flu or have flulike symptoms should stay home from work or school, Alter said.

“No homeopathic treatments have been demonstrated to decrease one’s risk of getting the flu. Maintaining a healthy diet, getting an adequate amount of rest, and receiving the flu vaccine are the best ways to prevent the infection,” Alter said.