Protect yourself from the flu, find a flu clinic near you

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- No one person can prevent the flu altogether. But you can take steps to minimize the risk. The following are tips you can take to avoid the worst of the flu season.

To protect yourself and those around you, health officials recommend taking steps to:

Health officials also suggest these important steps:

“You will know if this is something different if they have the symptoms: fever, chills, runny nose, cough, sore throat and they’re not getting better with standard over-the-counter medication,” Baker said.

Nationwide, nearly 24,000 people die every year from the flu, and for the last several years, about 100 of those deaths have involved children.

Flu vaccine remains available through local health care providers and retail pharmacies, though area residents are advised to call ahead to determine availability. Individuals looking for a location to receive vaccine near their home can use the flu vaccine finder at milwaukee.gov/health.