HOW TO AVOID THE FLU

1. Wash your hands frequently—the right way. (See "How—and When—to Wash Your Hands.")

2. Keep current on all inoculations (including a flu shot) and medications.

3. Eat a healthy diet.

4. Don't share food or drinks.

5. Drink plenty of liquids, especially water.

6. Get plenty of sleep.

7. Spend some time outdoors.

8. If you feel fine, exercise.

9. If someone sneezes or coughs without covering, avoid the air that they have just contaminated.

10. In public spaces such as restrooms, use paper towels or tissues to touch the faucet and door handles. Use your shoulder to open non-handled doors.

11. Avoid direct contact with handrails, handles, buttons, and the like in public spaces.

12. Avoid handshakes and hugs, and no kissing, even on cheeks!

13. Do not share washcloths or towels.

14. Avoid touching your fingers to your eyes, nose, mouth, or face.

15. Don't bite your nails.

HOW—AND WHEN— TO WASH YOUR HANDS

• Use lots of soap and lots of water. (The water temperature is not important.)

• Allow for 2 minutes (or, at least, 20 seconds) of vigorous scrub time after lathering.

• Scrub not only palms and fingers, but also the backs of hands, the skin between the fingers, and wrists. Use a nailbrush to scrub beneath fingernails. When to wash your hands . . .

• Before and after they are near your face

• Before eating and cooking, and after handling any meat or garbage

• After using the bathroom, blowing your nose, and sneezing into a hand

• After changing diapers

• After touching animals or cleaning up after them