Tips to avoid the flu

• Wash your hands - Thorough and frequent hand-washing is the best way to prevent many common infections. Scrub your hands vigorously for at least 15 seconds, rinse well and turn off the faucet with a paper towel. Or use an alcohol-based hand gel containing at least 60 percent alcohol. Hand gels are easy to use and may be even more effective at killing germs than soap and water are.
  
  
• Eat right and get a good night sleep - A poor diet and poor sleep both lower your immunity and make you more vulnerable to infections. A balanced diet that emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and small amounts of lean protein works best for most people. On the other hand, the amount of sleep needed for a healthy immune system varies from person to person. In general, adults seem to do best on seven to eight hours of sleep a night. Older children and teens need more rest — between nine and 10 hours every night.
  
  
• Exercise regularly - Regular cardiovascular exercise, walking, biking, and aerobics, can boost your immune system. Exercise won't prevent every infection, but if you do come down with the flu, you may have less-severe symptoms and recover more quickly than do people who aren't as fit.
  
  
• Limit air travel - Researchers say that the pronounced drop in air travel that occurred in the fall of 2001 slowed the spread of the flu and delayed the start of flu season by several weeks. Ordinarily, new flu strains spread rapidly in November, during the height of the holiday travel season, so you may be able to reduce your risk by limiting your time in the air in the late fall.
  
  
• Avoid crowds during flu season - Flu spreads easily wherever people congregate, in child care centers, schools, large office buildings, auditoriums, even cruise ships. By avoiding crowds whenever possible during peak flu season, you reduce your chances of infection.

Source: Mayo Clinic

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