Achoo! Achoo!

That’s right, the 2013-2014 influenza season has just begun, meaning we are all now vulnerable to aches, pains, sneezes and sniffles. The flu can knock the best of us off of our feet, sending us right onto the couch while our work piles up and friends and families brave life without us.

But there’s a simple solution.

A flu shot — which takes all of about five seconds and a small pain, like a scratch or a pinch — will protect you from getting the sickness for a year. The most severe time of the year for the flu is in Dallas County is from the middle of November to January, according to registered nurse Denice Clark, with the Dallas County Health Departement.

That means right now, in the early stages of October, is the time to protect yourself from the flu.

Besides, is there a plus side to not getting a flu shot? Not only are you more vulnerable to the flu and all of the icky symptoms it brings, but your family is also more likely to be infected once you bring it home.

Nobody likes the flu. We are probably all in agreement with hating the flu, so what stops people from getting the shot? A small pinch of pain?

We understand that some people fear needles. We also know that everyone has their own fears, whether others think they we are crazy for them or not, but braving through a flu shot is much better than struggling through the flu later this year and having to miss work or school.

Remember, when we are sick the rest of the world keeps moving, which just gives us more work to do when we are finally back on our feet.

For those against flu shots, think of the alternative: A week long laying in bed with symptoms like fever, chills, sore throat, aches, fatigue, cough, headache and your nose alternating from runny or stuffy.

The Dallas County Health Department is trying to help out.  The health department gave out free flu shots Tuesday and will continue offering shots on Tuesdays until it runs out of vaccinations. Anyone interested in getting a flu shot can call 877-2804 to see if vaccinations are still available.