Wash hands frequently, for at least 20 second, especially after sneezing, coughing, wiping the nose, touching doorknobs, going to the bathroom or leaving places such as your pediatrician's office and daycare center. Use hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available.

Avoid contact with people who are sick.

Stay home when you are sick. Children and adults who are sick should stay away from public places. Usually once a child's fever is gone and energy level is up, he or she can return to daycare or school.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth - especially with unwashed hands.

Encourage children to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing to decrease the number of germs in the air.

Keep the air in your home clean by using a HEPA filter, a device that can remove 99 percent of pollen, dust, dander and bacteria from the air.

Sanitize kitchen sponges and dishcloths, where the greatest concentration of germs can be found. Washing these items in the washing machine or dishwasher does not do enough to kill all the bacteria. Instead, wet the item and heat it in the microwave for two minutes.