NORTH CAROLINA -- Four more flu deaths have been confirmed in North Carolina.

The deaths occurred between Dec. 31 and Jan. 6, bringing the total to 26 since the start of flu season on Oct. 1.

Flu symptoms include a fever over 100 degrees, fatigue, chills, and coughing and/or sore throat.

Experts recommend getting vaccinated, washing hands frequently and staying away from those with flu-like symptoms. 

Each year in the U.S., flu leads to 12,000-56,000 hospitalizations and 140,000-710,000 deaths.  

This flu season, Wake County has experienced three flu deaths and Mecklenburg County has experienced seven. 

Carmel Christian School in Charlotte is closed until next Tuesday after over 160 students said they had the flu or flu-like symptoms.