Red and watery eyes, aching muscles, a runny nose, nausea.

Either you know the symptoms of the flu because you already have it or you would like to avoid getting it.

Ideally everyone would like to prevent the flu.

The best way to prevent the flu is to be vaccinated, said Dr. William Prenatt, Greenville. "The vaccine is a killed virus, and it cannot make you sick. It just can't," Prenatt said. "We run into the wall with a lot of people (who think he vaccine will make them sick)."

The more people who are vaccinated, the fewer people get the flu because it prevents spreading of the virus, he said.

"It's not too late to get vaccinated if you can find a place," Prenatt said. "The manufacturer (of the vaccine) shipped out a release today saying they're all out of vaccines."

Like with any other viral illness, Dr. Paul Chlpka, a Sharon pediatrician, recommends adults and children wash their hands often. He said objects that are touched often, like door handles, should also be washed frequently.