No one likes getting the flu or a cold. You feel achy, fatigued, and nauseated. Not to mention the coughing, sneezing, and headaches. Make sure to take these precautions this season to help protect yourself.

1. Wash your hands! Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds will kill germs and help you protect yourself against illness.

2. Sneeze into your elbow. Mythbusters proved that sneezing into your elbow instead of your hands or a handkerchief is more useful to prevent the spread of common colds and the flu.

3. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose. Germs could be on your hands waiting to get you sick, and touching your eyes, mouth, or nose provides a perfect avenue into your body for them to make you sick.

4. Don’t come in close contact with those who are sick. It may be difficult to stay away from ill people during this season, especially if they are close family members or friends, but if you don’t want to get sick yourself, you shouldn’t spend a lot of time with someone who has a cold or the flu.

5. Get the flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting a yearly flu vaccine for everyone at least 6 months of age. That means if you’re reading this and you have not already, get vaccinated!

6. If you experience fever don’t go to school or work until your symptoms go away for at least 24 hours. You may not be able to go back in time to reverse your cold or flu, but you can choose not to spread it to others.

7. If you end up getting sick, you can dramatically reduce the amount of time you’re ill by going to the doctor and getting a prescription for antiviral drugs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within 2 days of getting sick, but starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a high-risk health condition or is very sick from the flu.”

8. Take Dayquil and Nyquil. When I have a cold, Dayquil and Nyquil are my go-to’s for reducing the severity of my symptoms throughout the day and getting a good night’s sleep.

9. Try drinking warm tea. When I’m sick, I love the soothing relief a warm cup of green tea gives my sore throat.

Taking these steps will surely help reduce your risk of getting a cold or the flu this season. And remember: Nobody wants to get sick, so, if you happen to fall ill, keep away from friends and family to keep them healthy.

For more information about the flu, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm.