The subfreezing temperatures have coincided with the height of flu season – leaving many Long Islanders feeling under the weather. 

The Centers for Disease Control is reporting widespread flu activity in 36 states, including New York. 

Doctors say the best way to protect yourself is to get a flu shot.

The CDC says the vaccine can reduce your risk by as much as 60 percent if the circulating virus is close to the vaccine virus.

Doctors at Northwell Health say patients with flu symptoms will not benefit from antibiotics. 

"Antibiotics are not effective, especially if it's a viral thing," says Hira Choudry, of Northwell Health. "It's going to run its course. It's going to be five, seven days." 

The elderly, young children, pregnant and postpartum women, and people with chronic heart conditions are more susceptible to the flu.