The flu is a contagious respiratory illness spread mostly through coughing and sneezing. The symptoms for both are similar and so is the treatment. Sometimes, you need to see a doctor for the flu. The best way to prevent the flue is to get a flu shot.

The Arizona Department of Health Services has some excellent resources on learning more about the flu and the Swine flu as well as resources for getting a flu shot. Please click here to be redirected to the state website.

Prevention

The foremost and best way of prevention is to get a flu shot. However, following some of the simple prevention tips that can go a long way to helping prevent the flu. In no way should any of the tips listed below be considered as a substitute for a doctor's advice or treatment in lieu of that of a healthcare professional.

With the flu, the only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. It's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced:

1. Frequent hand-washing

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of your face.

3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use mouthwash if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Blowing your nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.

5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C. If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

Comparison of Normal Cold Symptoms to H1N1 Flu Symptoms

Know the Difference between Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms