Sneezing. Coughing. Wheezing. Sore throat. Stuffy nose. All of these are symptoms of one of the world's most contagious diseases. What is it? Influenza or better known as the "flu."

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Department of Health and Human Services, everyone is potentially at risk for complications of the flu. With that being said, a vaccine was developed to provide protection against the influenza virus infection that develops in the body.

Several years ago, the vaccine was only distributed to infants and the elderly because of their high susceptibility to infection, but now the vaccine is available to everyone.

So how do I know if I should get vaccinated?

According to the CDC website (cdc.gov) - In general, anyone who wants to "reduce" their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended that certain people get vaccinated every year.

They include:

* Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday,
* Pregnant women,
* People 50 years of age and older, and
* People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions;
* People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.
* Daycare workers and home health care or nursing home workers are also recommended to get the vaccine every year.

However, there are some people who should NOT receive the vaccine. They include:

* People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs
* People who have had a severe reaction the vaccine in the past
* People who developed Guillain-Barre' syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting the shot
* Children less than 6 months old
* People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

According to the CDC, the best time to get vaccinated is in the months of October and November, but vaccination is still available in December.

Several locations in the Southeast Texas area have made flu shots available. Besides your local Primary Care Provider (PCP), you can also visit your local Target and Wal-Mart pharmacies as well as the pharmacies in your area. Lamar University's Health Care Center also made flu shots available for the students on campus for a deferred fee.

With the availability of the vaccine, no one should be made to suffer during the cold and flu season. With the never-ending weather changes we experience here in Southeast Texas, getting the flu shot is necessary. If you're afraid of needles, don't worry. There may be slight pain at the injection site, but most don't have any problems. For more information on the flu vaccine, contact your doctor, local health department or the CDC at www.cdc.gov/flu.

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