The flu is here.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health says the commonwealth is in widespread flu activity stage. That means “outbreaks of influenza or increases in cases and recent laboratory-confirmed influenza in at least half of the regions of the state.”

A total of 17,349 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases have been reported to date this season across the state.

Confirmed reports were received from 66 counties out of the 67 counties.

A total of 267 flu associated hospitalizations and nine flu associated deaths have been reported season-to-date.

Compared to other years, this flu season has brought more reported cases with Type B influenza strains.

Currently, there were 15 reported influenza cases at St. Luke’s Lehighton Campus. Thirteen out of the 15 cases were Type B.

It’s not too late to protect yourself, doctors say.

“Get your flu shot,” Lehigh Valley Health Network infectious disease specialist Dr. Luther Rhodes III said.

“It’s still not too late, but get it sooner rather than later. With the strains of influenza rapidly increasing, people should not waste time.”

After receiving the flu vaccines, it takes approximately two weeks for it to take full effect. The most common flu vaccine prevents all four strains of influenza.

Any age group can get the flu, but it affects the elderly and young children the hardest. Because of this, it’s important for caregivers to be vaccinated.

“Not only should you protect yourself, but also the people around you who are more susceptible to the flu,” St. Luke’s infectious disease specialist Dr. Jeffrey Jahre said. “When a person gets a strain of influenza, it knocks you out.”

Both doctors urge people to not get confused with the flu and the common cold. The illnesses have similar symptoms, but the characteristics differ. Common symptoms for both are the sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and headaches, but the flu comes with high fever and severe aches and pains. A mild fever and aches will occur with the common cold.

“Another thing to remember with the flu is you will feel fine and then, the symptoms will rapidly hit you. If you’re coming down with a cold, the symptoms will slowly progress,” Jahre said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prescription medications called “antiviral drugs” can be used to treat flu illness if it’s caught early.

The CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have flu infection or suspected flu infection and who are at high risk of serious flu complications, such as people with asthma, diabetes (including gestational diabetes), or heart disease.

Antiviral drugs work best within the first 48 hours after symptoms begin.

If anyone is experiencing shortness of breath including flu symptoms, Jahre said they must seek medical attention immediately.

The best treatment is to stay home. The CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.

“Take Tylenol or Motrin, stay hydrated with at least three full glasses of water, cover your cough and most importantly, stay home,” he said.

If you are sick, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. After using a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands.

Besides getting the vaccine, the best way to avoid the flu is to use common sense.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu.