Why is flu really so contagious? - simply because the virus lives outside of the body for several hours on hands and surfaces which makes it easily transmitable. But ... and there is a BIG but ... the real reason flu is so contagious is that people don't care who they infect once they have it ... then again ... on the other hand ... most people are just too embarrassed to protect themselves like covering their noses while someone sneezes openly into the air. Instead of just saying 'bless you' and breathing the virus in politely, how about moving away, covering your nose or asking 'do you need a napkin?'  They will gently get the message that they need to contain the virus.

There is no time to be polite when people are sneezing all over you. Some people with flu even go as far as to look at you accusingly if you protect yourself from what their body is trying to get rid of. Don't be bothered, don't be polite, cover your nose and move away quickly. Remember...whatever their body is trying to get rid of (viruses) by constantly sneezing it out - your body does not want to take in!

So how do you get swine flu or any flu virus for that matter? The germ needs to get inside the body before you can contract it ... so even if it is on your skin ... you may not get it. The thing is - it needs to find an opening so touching your eyes, nose and mouth makes the virus very happy indeed, which is why washing hands regularly is so very important, especially after shaking hands with someone else.

• A person who is infected can pass the germ to you one to seven days before symptoms appear. You get the virus by contact with such a person directly, or by contact with an object that they touched. It is debatable how long an object such as a doorknob can retain the live germ.

• Beware of door handles. About the most germ infested surface you can touch is a door handle or the faucets you turn the water on and off with, especially in bathrooms that others use. Once you touch either of these objects, it is as though you never washed your hands at all. Our suggestion is to use the same paper towel you dry your hands with as a barrier between your now germ free hand and the door knob or water faucet.

• At work, we keep bottles of Windex/Lysol/Dettol spray handy. Just spray the bathroom doors, and the faucets and the door handles to people's offices and let the air dry them which only takes a minute or two. If you immediately dry the surface, you destroy most of the germ inhibiting barrier.

• Go to a major discount store like Wal-Mart/Superdrugs etc. and stock up on hand sanitizers. Easily carried 2 to 4 oz bottles that can fit in your pocket, they are inexpensive and can be given to each member of the family. They are fabulous for cleaning hands and the residue evaporates within seconds. Doctors use them all the time. It's cheap insurance.

• In temperate and cold weather countries, medical experts are worried that that swine flu may lay latent during the warm months and when the weather gets colder.
  

• If  swine flu does hit your area (most likely not but if it does), then order some masks that are N95 rated. They are recommended by the Center for Disease Control, and are very inexpensive.

• Go online and Google "Swine Flu Masks"and check prices.

Follow these simple rules religiously...not just for swine flu prevention but for general good health. Look after yourself and be mindful of others.

Always be vigilant about flu prevention - if you have a cold don't spread the virus.

• Always sneeze into a handkerchief or napkin
• Wash your hands immediately afterwards or use an antibacterial  gel Remember shaking hands or touching someone else is passing the germ on. If someone wants to shake your hand or get close simply say ' I have a cold.'
  
• In the workplace - wipe down phones after you use them (especially if other people have to use them!).
• Drink from your own cup, mug etc.
• Try not to be as 'social as you may normally be until you are better
  
• Think of others...another person who contracts the virus from you may not be as lucky as you are in surviving it.
  

Richard C. Stoyeck is recognized as a leading expert on hospital health care. He runs a Medical Research think tank at Rockefeller Capital Partners, LLC in Westport CT.

For information about how to Survive Your Hospital Stay, or finding good doctors and surgeons, visit www.Hospital-Health-Care.net and get a free download on the "Coming Revolution in Heart Disease."
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