Photo is influenza B sufferer Canaan Heuser (1 of five children in the Heuser household stricken with flu this season).

McHenry County emergency rooms treated 1,800 people for flu related-symptoms this flu season.

Of these, two were serious enough to warrant Intensive Care Unit treatment.

Keri Zeleski, community information officer at McHenry County Department of Health, said it’s not too late to get a flu vaccine.

“It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to become fully effective,” she said. “A lot of people don’t realize that flu season lasts from October until May.”

Many people wait until the fall, after flu season begins, to get vaccinated.

According to the McHenry County Department of Public Health website, the rate of school absences due to flu-like illnesses is almost identical to the 2015-16 school year. Still, the number of confirmed cases took a jump beginning with the test results from Jan. 21.

Currently, each state in the nation, is considered by the CDC as at an “elevated” level of flu.

The Illinois Department of Public Health encourages vaccination as the best way to protect against influenza (flu) infection. IDPH recommends that all Illinois residents aged 6 months and older should be vaccinated annually.

The public’s increased vaccination compliance, education and adherence to proper cough and sneeze technique, and routine hand washing may be key to limiting the incidence of flu.

In Illinois, the CDC last reported “no activity” for flu Nov. 5; one of three states reported less than “sporadic.” It wasn’t until Jan. 14 that the CDC classified influenza as “widespread” in Illinois.

MCDH reported less than 7 percent each week of school absences due to flu-like symptoms so far this schoolyear. Many weeks had no incidence of absences due to flu symptoms.

The CDC cautions to remain vigilant because influenza can result in serious illness and even death, especially in those over 65 years of age and those with already compromised health.

Each year, many cases result in hospitalization in the intensive care units in McHenry County. So far this season, that has only happened once. Influenza is not considered a “reportable” disease. Diseases such as Pertussis (131,) hepatitis B (3,) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) (132,) are reportable.

According to Zeleski, influenza is difficult to track because not everyone experiencing symptoms gets tested or visits the doctor. ICU admittance due to flu and pediatric mortality is reportable. There have been no pediatric deaths this flu season.

“I experience first-hand how devastating the flu can be,” said Zeleski. “I make sure my family gets vaccinated every year.”

The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. While there are many different flu viruses, a flu vaccine protects against the viruses that research suggests will be most common for the season.

Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. Vaccination of high-risk people is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.

People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.

It’s also important to avoid close contact with sick people. People stricken with flu should limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.

The CDC recommends staying home for at least 24 hours after a fever is absent without the aid of fever-reducing medication, except to get medical care or for other necessities. Cover the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw used tissues in the trash. If a tissue is unavailable, cover the mouth and nose with the forearm, not the hand.

“Self-inoculation,” is the primary way of contacting the disease. Touching surfaces where the virus landed, followed by touching the nose or eyes, often results in contracting the virus.

Hand washing is another way to contain germs and prevent the spread of disease. Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth. It’s a good idea to clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.

Antiviral drugs can be used to treat flu, once contracted. These medications lesson the duration and severity of the illness. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. They are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) and are not available over-the-counter.