USA — The CDC is encouraging the public to get vaccinated for the flu and common cold as flu season typically starts in October.

The flu can be caused by three viruses, the influenza A(H1N1) virus, the influenza A(H3N2) virus and the influenza B virus.

Symptoms of the flu can include fever, sore throat, and coughing among others.

Flu vaccines such as the standard-dose trivalent shot and the quadrivalent shot are administered to protect against the three flu viruses with an additional B virus for the quadrivalent shot.

People are encouraged to wear a face mask, wash hands and sneeze into the elbow to prevent the spread of the flu, according to ABC News.

Last year's flu season had the highest death toll in more than 40 years, with more than 80,000 people dying from the flu, according to the CDC.

The CDC estimates the flu shot reduces the risk of catching the flu by 40 to 60 percent and is encouraging the public to get vaccinated by the end of October.

The CDC says everyone above the age of 6 months should receive a shot of the flu vaccine in order to minimize the spread of the virus.