Leaves turning color and students donning jackets can only mean one thing — flu season is here.

“Mid-October is when the flu season begins,” said Dr. Kirk Peterson, family doctor at the Ballard Medical Center in Huxley.

He said some common symptoms of the flu are headaches, fever, chills, body ache and a dry cough.

“To avoid the flu, you need to eat right, exercise on a regular basis, reduce stress and get enough sleep,” Peterson said.

Peterson added that finding time to rest can be difficult for busy college students.

“Stress is a big factor,” he said. “After finals week, usually the number of reported cases of the flu increase.”

Peterson said as the level of stress increases, the immune system weakens.

He said not every flu symptom warrants a trip to the clinic, however.

“If a fever continues for one or two days, or if you start to cough stuff up, it’s time to see your doctor,” Peterson said.

Peterson acknowledged that while there are a lot of false myths about treating the flu, some home remedies do work.

“Most [home remedies] really don’t make a difference, but consuming fluids has been proven to work,” he said.

Peterson said people exhibiting flu symptoms should “drink plenty of fluids, take Tylenol for a fever and sleep. Rest is the most important remedy.”

Some people think taking daily vitamins will help prevent the flu, and Peterson said vitamins can help.

“There’s nothing wrong with taking vitamins,” Peterson said. “I recommend vitamin E and C in daily doses for older patients.

“For younger patients, it’s usually a multivitamin supplement [that is most beneficial],” he said.

Peterson said the only vitamin that can harm people is vitamin C when taken in a large dose.

Another option for flu prevention is to get a flu shot at Mary Greeley Medical Center.

The hospital is sponsoring the second annual “Drive Through Flu Shoot” on Oct. 17 at Hilton Coliseum.

“You should get your flu shot between mid and the end of October,” said Deb Sellers, assistant director. “It takes one week for immunization, [and it] will last for three to four months.”

She said people can stop by from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and nurses will be there to help with paperwork.

“Iowa State faculty, students and the general public are welcome to come,” Sellers said.

“All they have to do is stick their arm out the window of the car and get their shot. They shouldn’t even have to wait more than five minutes,” she said.

Sellers said everyone should get a flu shot, because the malady can keep people home from work and school and can even lead to pneumonia.

“[I recommend it], especially [for] anyone over the age of 65, [people who] have a chronic disease including asthma, and workers who are in the public, for example, teachers, police officers and health care officials,” she said.

“Come on bicycles or walk down. Last year, we even had some guys come on their motorcycles,” she said.

The Iowa State Student Health Center gives flu shots for $6, and faculty and staff can receive free flu shots through the Wellness Center.

According to the ISU Web site, flu shots will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct.19 to Nov. 13 in Room 205 of the Technical and Administrative Service Facility. No appointment is necessary.