DALTON, Ga. — Orgena Alexander said she and her 18-year-old son Mykel get flu shots every year because of certain health conditions they have.

“I try to take whatever precautions necessary to lessen the effects of any illness that may come our way,” said Alexander, of Dalton.

She has heart problems and her son has asthma.

“We both have had a terrible bout with the flu in the past; however, it wasn’t because we got a flu shot, I believe it was because we didn’t,” she said.

Jennifer King, public information officer and risk communicator with the North Georgia Health District, encourages everyone to get a flu shot.

“In Georgia and this region, January and February is really the peak time for flu season,” King said.

She said there has been an increase in the number of people going to see doctors with flu-like symptoms. Some of those symptoms include respiratory problems, congestion, fever, aches and pains, coughing and nausea.

“It’s important to know you’re not going to have all those symptoms,” King said. “The reason we say flu-like is because you can’t really tell until a person has been tested.”

King said in August during a drive-by fly shot clinic, public health staff in Whitfield County provided more than 600 shots, with approximately 160 provided in Murray County.

“It’s not too late to get a flu shot,” she said. “We’re encouraging people to do so, it takes a couple weeks for the flu shot to become effective so the sooner you get it the better.”

Flu shots are available at the county health departments. The Whitfield County phone number is (706) 226-2621 and the number in Murray County is (706) 695-4585. Other health care providers may also offer flu shots.

King said getting the shot not only protects the person but also those around them who may not be able to get the shot.

“We’re really encouraging everyone who can to get a flu shot, especially if you’re around children, to help protect them,” she said.

King said anyone six months and older should get the shot.

Earlier this month officials with the Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed the first flu-related death in the state this year.

“The individual was an elderly adult. Flu activity is increasing statewide, along with the number of hospitalizations due to flu-related illness,” Nancy Nydam, director of communications for the department, said in a press release.

King said the “important takeaway” is that flu is around.

“It’s not uncommon for death to occur due to the flu, it happens every year,” she said. “We want to avoid that and the best way is to get your flu shot and to follow tips for avoiding the flu.”

King said things like washing your hands frequently and thoroughly under warm water with soap or using alcohol-based gels help avoid the spreading of germs.

“Make sure to cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing,” she said. “Always use a tissue when coughing and sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, use the crook of your elbow, that way you are covering up your mouth.”

Irma Sage of Varnell said she no longer gets the flu shot.

“Every time my kids and I got the flu shot we got sick,” she said. “I don’t know if it’s bad timing or what. When we don’t take them we either don’t get sick or we get a mild cold.”

King said often when people get sick it’s because they were already exposed to the flu prior to getting the shot.

“People need to understand the flu shot does not cause you to get the flu, it protects you,” she said. “When we get our flu shots we are helping to build that wall of immunity in the community and keep the flu virus from spreading.”