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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- State officials said that three stains of the flu virus have been identified in Iowa so far this flu season.

The Iowa Department of Public Health said the three flu strains are the influenza A (H3), influenza B, and the H1N1 virus also known as the swine flu.

Anyone can get sick from all three strains, which means you can catch the flu three times.

Getting sick from one strain of the flu will not protect you against the other two strains.

Medical Director Dr. Patricia Quinlisk said the best way to protect yourself from the flu is to get a flu shot.

Luckily, the vaccine will help protect individual against all three flu strains.

The vaccine is not 100% guaranteed to stop the flu, especially for individuals with a weak immune system.

This includes the young and elderly, and individuals who have a chronic disease such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease.

Babies younger than six month are too young to take a flu shot and the disease can easily spread to them.

Special groups are “cocooning” their babies, which means individuals who come in contact with the baby are vaccinated for the flu.

The only way for a baby younger than six months to be vaccinated is for the mother to get a flu shot while she is pregnant.

Antibodies from the mother will be passed to the baby, protecting both of them from the virus.

Don’t forget the three C's.

Cough into the inside of your elbow. You have a better chance of catching all of the germs and less will be spread.

Contain yourself at home when you are sick. If you are sick and know you have the flu, stay at home until you have recovered to prevent the spread of the disease.

Clean your hands. Remember, even if you have been vaccinated, you can still pass germs by shaking hands or touching a doorknob.

If you want more information on the virus, click here for more information.