Throughout the history of human kind many flu epidemics were emerging, taking lives of millions people worldwide. The latest threat to the human population is influenza virus type H1N1 strain, also known as the swine flu. The first record of the swine flu dates back to 1918, during the pandemic, the scientists quickly linked the disease to pigs, when they noticed that pigs were ill at the same time as humans. Over the years, the virus was mutating, only to emerge in more complex and dangerous strain in Mexico, 2009.  Although the scientists have not developed a vaccine against this particular strain of flu, there are top 10 percussions that one may take in order to minimize the chances of getting ill.

1. Frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

The research shows that cold as well as flu viruses are transmitted through touching the surface, hand or object that has bodily fluids of infected person. When washing hands with soap, the flu molecules get moistened and get rinsed away with water.

2. If water is not available, use alcohol based hand sanitizers, with 50% of alcohol ingredient or more

Active ingredients such as isopropanol, ethanol, or n-propanol   work as well as soap and water and are effective at 99.5% rate against most viral as well as bacterial infections.

3. If you feel that, you need to sneeze or cough, please do so in your hands or sleeve

Wash hands immediately. It is also recommended not to touch or rub your face before washing your hands, as the virus spreads from person to person by hand-to-hand contact.

4. Try to limit your exposure to large social gatherings

During the outbreak try to limit your exposure to large social, as people frequently travel and socialize among each other, one might not even know that he/she is contagious until some physical signs appear.

5. Stay at home

If you experience any sign of the flu or cold virus, try to stay at home and get well before reporting to your daily life. It may look like inconvenience, but most of the work places do encourage their employees to take days off work and get back on their feet without infecting the others.