Stay Home

At the first signs of you or your child feeling sick, call your boss or child's school and tell them you're staying home because public health experts tell you so. You are most contagious during the first few days of flu. "By staying home, you can protect against inadvertently infecting others," says Neuzil.

The symptoms of the flu are similar to a common cold, but you will generally feel more miserable very quickly if you come down with influenza. The elderly and others who are more at risk for complications should immediately see a doctor if they think they have the flu.

Don't Stock Pile Over-the-Counter Remedies

If you're in good health to begin with, don't worry about hoarding Tamiflu or other antiviral drugs to protect against the seasonal flu. These drugs have to be taken within the first 48 hours of getting the flu to be effective. Even if you get a prescription in time, they will only shorten the symptoms by roughly a day.

Tylenol or Advil can help get you through the worst of the flu, which typically clears up on its own in a week. "If you stockpile Tamiflu, you run the risk that someone who really needs it can't get it," says Neuzil.