ELKHART — With flu season in full swing, Elkhart County has been relatively lucky.

Of the 40 flu-related deaths reported by the Indiana State Department of Health, none have been in Elkhart County, county health officer Dr. Dan Nafziger said Thursday.

Nafziger said there have been more than 170 influenza cases confirmed in the county. He added, however, that figure does not represent the actual number of people with the flu, just the patients who have reported their symptoms and got tested for influenza.

Flu symptoms include fever above 100 degrees, coughing, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and vomiting among others. Nafziger said the best way to avoid spreading the flu is to get vaccinated. The flu vaccine for the 2012-13 season is about 62 percent effective, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nafziger also suggested that people take extra precautions, like hand washing and covering coughs.