Sneezing, coughing and nose blowing are the sounds of the season; flu season that is.
On Friday, 23ABC learned that dozens of students from Eissler Elementary went home this week with a letter from Bakersfield City School District after about a dozen children and staff returned home from a trip to Camp KEEP with flu-like symptoms.
BCSD sent a letter home with students who were not showing symptoms, listing signs to look out for and other ways to protect themselves from the flu.
Kern County typically experiences the peak of flu season in January or even February, Michelle Corson with Kern County Public Health said.
"Even though you feel like, 'I've gotten by this far, I'm feeling fine," this is still such an important thing. You need to protect yourself and the number one way to protect yourself from the flu is by getting your vaccination," Corson said.
Kern County Public Health is saying it is not too late for people to protect themselves from the flu.
The flu vaccine is typically 40 to 60% effective. Although it's too early to tell just how effective this year's vaccine will be, Public Health said making sure you're vaccinated is the best thing you can do.
There were two flu-related deaths in Kern County during the 2016-2017 flu season, which was one more than the 2015-2016 season. Corson said everyone should get a flu shot, especially those in high-risk groups such as people 65 and older, children, and those with compromised immune systems.
"Even those of us that are healthier and not in one of those high-risk categories, if we're vaccinating ourselves, that's helping those that are more vulnerable around us," Corson said.
Some ways to protect yourself from the flu besides getting the vaccine is washing your hands frequently,
You can get a flu shot at Public Health, pharmacies, and your primary care doctor.
