It seems to be here… at least it is at the Turlock Journal. We’re talking about the flu.

If we are to judge by the hacking and coughing of our staff this past week, it seems that this year’s strain is particularly nasty - and in some cases impervious to the flu vaccine.

But we already knew that. According to the California Department of Health Services, most of the influenza strains detected so far in the state are Influenza A-Fujian, which is a slight mutation from the strains that are in the influenza vaccine. The last time this happened, in the winter of 1997-98, a statewide flu epidemic resulted.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time to develop vaccines against this particular strain. And that’s bad news for those of us who’ve been targeted by this potent virus.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Children can also have additional symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Getting a flu shot can still protect you from being really sick, health officials say.

Young children and adults over 50 - especially those with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes or asthma - are prime candidates for a flu shot.

In the meantime, the next best thing to protect yourself from getting sick is frequent handwashing with soap and water, or the use of an alcohol-based gel hand sanitizer, especially after touching door handles or pens that other - possibly sick - people have used.

If you still haven’t had a flu shot, it’s not too late. Contact your physician, or visit the walk-in clinic at the Stanislaus County Public Health Department, 820 Scenic Drive in Modesto. Shots will be available from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at a cost of $10.

For more information, contact the HSA’s public health services division at 558-8872.

Reprinted by permission of the Turlock Journal.