"Being alert to the dangers, as well as practicing commonsense measures for prevention, can go a long way toward saving lives," says Brian Currie, an infectious disease specialist at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Here are 3 suggestions for making self-defense part of your routine:

    1. Clean your hands several times throughout the day. Use alcohol-based hand rubs and gels. Check the label to make sure they contain 60%-95% isopropanol or ethanol. Ordinary soap and water will work, but you don't have to use very hot water or antibacterial soaps. Use moisturizing lotion, as dry, cracked skin can let in viruses more easily.

    2. Take extra precautions during flu season. Get a flu shot if you haven't already. Spend as little time as possible in crowds, especially in closed spaces, such as elevators and airplanes. Keep your distance from sneezers and coughers. Don't touch your eyes, mouth or nose after being with someone with flu-like symptoms. If you become sick, stay home from work, school and errands. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Use antiviral tissues. Don't drink alcohol, which depresses white blood cells and increases the risk of developing bacterial pneumonia in flu sufferers.

    3. Avoid potential sources of infection. Use insect repellent when outdoors. Keep your distance from exotic animals at petting zoos or pet stores. In choosing a pet, stay away from imported or captured animals. Take extra precautions if you travel to a country that's had cases of bird flu or other deadly infections.

    纽约蒙蒂菲奥里医疗中心传染病专家布来恩*卡里说：“警惕危险并采取常识性的预防措施极大地利于挽救生命”。这里有三条建议，用来构建日常生活的自我防御体。

    1.一天内多次洗手

    使用以酒精为基质的洗手液。检查标签确保其含有60％－９５％的异丙醇或乙醇。一般的肥皂和水也行，但不得使用很热的水或抗菌肥皂。使用保湿洗液，由于干裂的皮肤比较容易让病毒进入。

    2.流感季节格外小心

    如果还没的话，打一次流感疫苗。在人群中停留尽可能短的时间，特别是在象电梯以及飞机这样密闭空间内。与咳嗽和打喷嚏者保持距离。在与带有流感相似症状的人相处之后，别摸自己的眼睛、嘴巴或鼻子。如果患了病，就待在家里，别去上班，上学，别干其他的事情。咳嗽或打喷嚏时，用纱布盖住嘴巴和鼻子。使用抗菌纱布。不要饮酒，酒精降低白细胞，增大流感患者患细菌性肺炎的风险。

    3.避免可能的传染源

    在户外时使用昆虫驱除剂。在宠物园或宠物商店，与外来动物保持距离。在选择宠物时远离引进或捕获的动物。如果到一个有过禽流感病例或致命传染病的国家去旅游，要格外多加小心。