Brace yourselves, if the World Health Organization is correct, the H1N1 virus (aka, the swine flu) could rear its ugly, germ-ridden head and affect millions of people this fall. For one thing, flu season is nearly upon us. For another, kids are the primary source of spreading flu bugs and now that they're back in school, if an outbreak does occur, it could spread rapidly. WHO officials aren't entirely sure yet just how severe the pandemic could be, but regardless, now is a good time to start practicing good, natural, flu-prevention habits. While many of these are common sense and apply to all types of illness, the threat of a pandemic warrants the reminder.

Wash your hands - It seems so simple, but it's shocking how many people don't practice proper hand-washing techniques. You don't need to scrub your hands raw, but washing your hands properly should take longer than four seconds and involve a good lather. If you aren't sure how, we gave step-by-step instructions this past spring that you may want to review. Once you've got it mastered, teach it to everyone you know, not just children. It may sound silly to lecture an adult on proper hand-washing, but if contract the flu bug from them, won't you regret not giving them a demonstration? Don't just wash your hands after going to the bathroom - do it after you cough, sneeze, shake hands with someone...you get the idea.

Get to bed - Sleep isn't just for the weak or the sick. Your body is less likely to fight illness if it's not properly rested. While the long-rumored full eight hours may not actually be necessary, no less than six-and-a-half hours is. Now that it's getting dark sooner, take advantage of the lack of light and get to bed at a reasonable hour. Drag your spouse/roommate/siblings to their own beds by their hair if necessary.

Hop on a treadmill - Or you know, go for a vigorous walk. Moderate exercise is enough to boost your imune system and may help prevent the average two to three upper respiratory infections the average adult gets every year. That being said, over-exercising can be just as bad as no exercise, as can exercising when you know you're coming down with a bug.

You are what you eat - Skip the pizza and load up on fruits, vegetables, garlic, green tea and any other immunity-boosting foods you can think of. Phytonutrients are good for you, and not just because they fight cancer and heart disease.

Home sweet home - For the love of mankind (literally), please, please, please stay at home if you feel under-the-weather. Whether it's swine flu or the common cold, it's probably a safe bet that no one in your workplace or the line at Starbucks wants your germs or the stuffy nose and achiness that come with them. The same goes for your kids - you hopefully know them well enough to tell if they're genuinely unwell or just trying to avoid the math test they didn't study enough for, but in the case of a pandemic, better safe than sorry. See if you can pick up any notes and homework from another classmate or friend if you don't want them to fall behind.

Stock up - Hoarding food was a suggestion some experts gave back when restrictions were being placed on rice purchases and a food crisis seemed imminent. While the rice emergency seems to have passed for the time being, stockpiling food applies to other threats - such as, say, a pandemic. Get canned foods that are high in protein, fiber, as well as canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, crackers and clear juices. And as unpopular as the suggestion will make me, invest in some bottled water. Yes, boo, hiss, it's bad for the earth, I get it - but clean water is necessary for survival and to fight illness.

» World Health Organization