If you can remember to do just two things this winter, you could avoid getting sick from a cold or the flu altogether. Wash your hands frequently and be very aware of your air.
Viruses lurk on nonporous objects such as door knobs, telephones, keyboards, food containers, etc.
Washing your hands with soap and water wipes out the bugs. It's also a good plan to keep your hands away from your eyes and nose to prevent transmission. If you share space with someone who's coughing and sneezing, try to open a window or sit near a vent. It helps when that person catches his or her coughs and sneezes in a disposable tissue, but after approximately 30 minutes, the air can be pretty contaminated.