Looking for some flu prevention strategies? There's no denying that a bad case of flu can wipe you with symptoms of fever, congestion, fatigue, and body aches. And, according to the CDC, from 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year as a result of flu complications, and about 36,000 people actually die from the flu.

How is flu spread?

A virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs causes flu. Just like a cold virus, flu is usually spread from one person to the next when the infected person coughs or sneezes. The invincible flu virus is passed from the lungs, throat, or nose of one person through the air to the next unsuspecting person. In addition, when people touch a surface -- or person -- that's contaminated with flu germs and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, they infect themselves with the flu virus.

What's the best way to prevent flu?

To prevent flu, make sure you and your family members get a flu shot -- the essential key to flu prevention. You need it because there's no cure for the flu -- and flu complications can be really serious in some people, especially infants and young children, elderly adults, and people with heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, and other chronic medical problems.

Talk to your doctor to confirm if the flu shot is right for you. In addition, make sure those around you are immunized against flu so this viral infection does not become a "family affair" at your home.

The CDC recommends flu shots for children age 6 months to 18 years and all adults age 50 and older. It also recommends flu shots for anyone with certain chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, people living in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, health care workers, anyone who has daily household contact with people in those risk groups, and household contacts and caregivers of children less than 6 months old.

Does the flu shot have side effects?

If you're worried about flu shot side effects, don't be. Most of the time, there are no side effects from the flu shot. After all, the flu shot is made from killed viruses -- not live ones.

Still, some people may experience some mild vaccine side effects such as a low-grade fever, achiness, or a slight runny nose after getting a flu shot. A few people have experienced a rare severe allergic reaction from a flu shot. Talk to your doctor to see if you might be at risk for this rare problem.

For in-depth information about the flu vaccine, read WebMD's Flu Prevention: Influenza Vaccine.