Amid one of the most severe flu seasons nationwide, many are wondering how to stay healthy and whether it is too late to get a flu shot.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest five simple preventative health habits key to avoiding the flu, including avoiding close contact to those who are sick, staying home if you get sick, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, cleaning your hands, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Dr. Jeremy Sperling of New York City Health and Hospitals/Jacobi says fevers, chills, body aches, feeling tired, cough, runny and a nose are some of the symptoms to look out for when diagnosing the flu.

Sperling says the flu shot is a great way to prevent the flu, and it is still not too late to do so.

Flu season generally starts in December and continues through February, with cases usually tapering off in March.

“You’re usually contagious for about a week,” said Dr. Sperling. “You want to let your fever go away for at least 24 hours before going back to school or work.”