The most effective way to prevent flu is to get the flu shot.  But following healthy guidelines can help you avoid colds and other kinds of flu and stomach illness.

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based rubs.  Do  this especially after using a copier, fax machine, someone else's computer or phone, or after sneezing or blowing your nose.
• Stay at home when you are sick, especially if you have a fever.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Keep clean tissues at your desk or in your pocket so that you can sneeze or cough into them, not into your hands.
• Dispose of tissues in a trash can.  Do not keep them in your hand or put them back in your pocket.
• Avoid touching your face.  Cold viruses enter the body through the eyes, nose or mouth.
• Drink plenty of fluids.  At least eight 8-ounce glasses daily.
• Don't smoke.  Heavy smokers get more severe and more frequent colds.  Even being around smoke zaps the immune system and dries out nasal passages.  Smoking also paralyzes the body's ability to sweep out cold/flu viruses from breathing passages.
• Eat a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly to sustain a healthy body and a healthy immune system.