All we hear on the news lately is about the prevalence of The Flu and Swine Flu in particular. How do we protect ourselves from obtaining the flu, is it even possible to avoid catching the flu? According to my research it is possible to take some non-invasive measures to prevent flu infection. They are:

1. Frequent hand washing Use soap and warm water and scrub under water for at least a full 20 seconds.

2. Resist touching your face, especially nose and mouth, with your fingers With the exception of eating, and even then use utensils.

3. Gargle twice a day with salt water and Listerine. Flu takes 2-3 days after the initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to breed and present the tell-tale symptoms. No one should underestimate this simple, yet inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Blow your nose hard once a day and/or swab both nostrils with cotton swabs dipped in warm salt water Another easy but very effective aid to prevent the spread of viral populations.

5. Eat Vitamin C rich food and beverages Vitamin C boosts your natural immunity. If you need to resort to supplements to get your daily dose of Vitamin C, make sure it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. Drink LOTS of warm liquids, such as tea, coffee or even hot water with honey Drinking warm liquids has the same benefit as gargling, but in the reverse direction. The liquids wash off thriving viruses from the throat into the stomach where they will not survive, reproduce or do any harm.

7. Clean your work area and home daily Use anti-bacterial wipes to wipe down desks, phones, door knobs and other surfaces that are shared and/or exposed to others who have become sick.

8. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or elbow NOT YOUR HANDS You don't want to sneeze into your hands and expose others to your germs.

9. Discard all used tissues in a waste basket, followed by vigorous hand washing. Again, you want to limit other people's exposure to your germs.

10.If you do feel flu symptoms coming on, avoid close contact with others Do not return to work or school until after 48 hours fever and symptom free.