There are a number of steps that can be taken to protect against a variety of flu viruses. The first is personal care and vigilance in public places.

If you use computers whose keyboards are shared by the public, as those in an Internet cafe or workplace, the hands should be disinfected after using the computer and most certainly contact of the hands with eyes, mouth, nasal passages or an open or healing wound should be absolutely avoided. I have been watching the four people using computers in the Internet cafe where I am typing this report and once every five minutes or so one of the computer users brushes their fingers along their nasal passages or mouth. Then those fingers return immediately to the computer keyboard for additional typing. This same activity, I am sure, is being repeated in Internet cafes around the world as I am typing. Consider using an antiseptic spray on computer keyboards before using them.

Disinfecting hand soap and warm, or a tolerable level of hot water, should be used for hand washing and the hand washing should be somewhat vigorous and lasting at least twenty seconds or more. Some viruses have the ability to lodge themselves between the small skin ridges of the fingers. Vigorous hand washing helps to eliminate the presence of viruses and bacteria there. To avoid potential infection consider avoiding handshaking, often used when meeting or greeting friends or business associates.

Door handles in public buildings and transportation can also be another source of disease transmission. Wearing gloves is a preventative measure helping to avoid direct contact with viruses on surfaces frequently used by the public. If gloves are not practical and clean running water for hand washing is not available, the hands can be cleaned or sanitized by using alcohol or disinfectant wipes after contact with surfaces used by the public.

Handholds on public busses and taxis also present another means of disease transmission as well as door handles and other fixtures in public restrooms. One study on hand washing after public restroom use revealed that far fewer people than we might expect, or hope, cleanse their hands after using public restrooms. To avoid contamination with bacteria or viruses left on the inside door handles of public restrooms use a paper towel from the towel dispenser to cover the palm of your hand when turning the handle of the door to exit the restroom.

Coughing and sneezing in public as well as in kitchens where food is prepared for the public are yet another means of disease transmission. Normal vigilance should be exercised if dining or eating out. If you are intending to eat at a fast food or regular diner ask yourself this question: Are the kitchen help who are coming into direct physical contact with your food wearing protective plastic disposable gloves? Depending on the severity of a particular outbreak, some restaurant managers might advise the food preparers to wear mouth and nose masks as well as plastic gloves when preparing food for the public.

According to the World Health Organization, "Although people typically get swine flu from contact with pigs, there have been cases of person-to-person transmission. Experts think coughing, sneezing and contaminated surfaces can spread the infection among people but it's unknown how easily that happens." Reference: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/30/swine.flu.outbreak/index.html#cnnSTCOther1

There are so many ways that disease can be spread. It would appear that the only means of protection is to stay home and alone until conditions improve and an outbreak has been brought under control or eliminated, but that is not practical for most people. The next best step to take then would be to boost your immune system to its optimum to help protect yourself. A healthy diet, taking vitamins, good dental hygiene, a healthy-clean home environment, exercise, health vigilance in public, and the cessation of tobacco use to help maximize the condition of the lungs are all good steps to take to help ward off potential infections.

Also, you could consider taking off your shoes and leaving them on the porch.  Yesterday I watched as a truckload of pigs was being taken for slaughter.  The truck was travelling through the city on a major city street.  Excrement (feces and urine) from the truckload of swine were leaking and dripping onto the street, including the intersections and crosswalks used by pedestrians, as the truck was going from farm to slaughter house.

Populations are often reduced by war, famine, or disease. This phenomenon seems to be inherent in nature and well as human nature.

For up to date information about disease prevention and avoiding infection a person should contact their health care provider. I have provided links below to the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control for immediate information on disease outbreaks around the world. Near the bottom of this page are several up-to-date news reports from around the world regarding the Swine Flu outbreak.