The swine flu is in full effect this year and it continues to spread as medical experts had feared it would. They're saying that we should be prepared for a winter with many cases of the flu, as there were far more during the summer than in a typical year.

Scarily enough, many of the cases (and the deaths) are affecting young children and adults. This is a stark contrast from the usual flu, which strikes the elderly and those already ill the hardest.

This goes against the very nature of almost every illness known to mankind. As a result, the public is rightly concerned.

Having said that, officials are recommending the use of an H1N1 and regular flu vaccine each year to minimize the chances of the worst possible impact nationwide that health officials fear. They say this is the best protection against potential infection.

The troubling thing about the idea of a vaccine is the fact that many would simply choose not to get one. Since less than one percent of those afflicted end up suffering a fatal outcome, people generally seem to think that they'll be part of the vast majority of people who endure the virus.

You might have heard the recent story of a Washington Redskins cheerleader, who was left unable to speak after having a bad reaction to the flu vaccine this season. This is certainly a scary thought, though this reaction obviously isn't the norm.

At the end of the day, your decision to vaccinate yourself from H1N1 should really rest on the advice of your medical professional. As someone who has no affiliation with the medical profession, I really can't advise you on something like this - but, I will advise you to speak to your doctor to ask for the best recommended course of action.

The most important thing the public can do right now is to spread awareness about the symptoms and dangers of this illness. In doing so, people will be more prepared to act quickly.