Ada — by Justin Lofton Staff Writer ADA—Michael Echelle, director of Pontotoc County Health Department, said the first two months of the year offer the greatest risk in contracting the flu bug. “Mid-January through February is Oklahoma’s peak influenza season,” Echelle said.  “That is typical of what is being seen right now.” Echelle said Valley View Regional Hospital representatives have said the hospital has cases of influenza this year. “none of the cultures that have been in Pontotoc County have cultured positive for H1N1, which was the strain for Swine Flu,” he said. Echelle said Pontotoc County residents should get vaccinations as soon as possible. “It’s never too late to be vaccinated,” he said.  “Vaccine is available, either through health care providers or through the county health department.” He said the vaccine cannot give a person influenza. “It’s a very effective vaccine,” said Lawrence Burnsed, director of communicable diseases at Oklahoma Department of Health.  “It does provide a good level of protection.  any vaccine is not 100 percent protective but they are very protective, so it is possible an individual may have recently received an influenza vaccine and may have symptoms similar to influenza.  It may not even be influenza.  There are other viruses circulating this time of year.” Echelle said a subject’s body typically takes about two weeks to build immunity to influenza after a vaccination. “It gives you protection through the flu season,” he said.  “if individuals opt not to get an influenza vaccination, there are precautions that they can take to protect themselves from getting the flu.” Echelle and Burnsed offered some precautions to prevent contracting or spreading influenza: • Cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.  if a tissue is unavailable, cough into bend of arm. • Avoid individuals who may have influenza. • Wash hands often. • Stay at home when sick. “Typical symptoms of influenza include fever and a cough,” Burnsed said.  “some people have a sore throat, body aches or muscle aches—and those can last for several days.” if these symptoms are present in individuals or their children, Burnsed said residents should consider staying home or keeping their children home. “get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids.  if you have a high fever or have concerns about your symptoms, you should certainly contact your physician,” he said.