If you are worried about the spread of any type of flu virus or are wondering how to take care of yourself and your family you can follow these steps to prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses such as swine flu. 

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, contact your health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Avoid touching door handles, shopping carts, public phones, or any other high use public fixture that might have been used by someone with the flu.

Carry wipes with you to clean the possible contaminated fixtures before touching them.

Avoid going to highly populated locations if you do not need to.  Such as the grocery store, malls, public restrooms, any event where you maybe in close proximity to others.

For more information about swine flu and pandemic outbreaks, visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ or http://www.pandemicflu.gov/.