PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — With cold and flu season officially upon us, the Virginia Department of Health has some ways we can protect ourselves against a surge of the respiratory illness.

According to the Virginia Department of Health, the best way of lowering your chances of catching the flu is making sure your vaccinations are current. Other healthy habits include frequently washing your hands, covering your nose and mouth when sneezing, staying home when sick and keeping a close eye on symptoms.

“We know these viruses like influenza do tend to change over time,” said Heather Harmon Sloan, VDH respiratory communications coordinator. “So it’s important that we keep our natural defenses up to date with what is currently circulating in our communities. Vaccines, again, just are the best way to really protect yourself from severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

Recent stats show vaccination rates are up in the Commonwealth, while overall respiratory illness activity is trending down.

“The flu vaccination rate in Virginia is about double what it is for COVID-19, with the exception of those 65 years of age and over,” says Sloan. “So COVID-19 right now represents 9.2% of the vaccination rate. And then for flu, we’re seeing it at 14.3%. So we do expect these to increase.”

Although flu rates are currently at a low in Virginia, VDH said people should continue to maintain healthy habits and get tested if you have a higher risk.

“This is just to see if maybe antiviral treatments might be right for you for influenza or COVID-19, for that matter,” she said. “Certainly, you want to also make sure that, again, you’re bringing in that fresh air ventilating. So we call it taking steps for cleaner air.”

Common flu symptoms to be alert for are fever, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, migraines and body aches. Those who are asymptomatic may have no symptoms at all.