It never used to fail. I finally had vacation, planned a big trip, and BAM! I came down with a cold or the flu with my first step out the door. Now with H1N1 in the air, along with its accompanying fear and loathing on the airwaves, it’s a good idea to think about protecting yourself. Generally, a healthy body resists germs even when they get inside the defenses. It’s when the germs go beyond that first foothold and then multiply that the battle tips in favor of the invaders. By the time you show symptoms it may already be too late and then comes the pharmaceutical battle and several days of a not-so-great trip. So keep the upper hand by maintaining vigilance on the ports of entry. Despite its formidable reputation, there’s only one way in for swine flu: the airway -- your nose and mouth.

Of course wash your hands thoroughly and often. Carry one of those little bottles of antibacterial hand sanitizer gel (make sure it’s under 3 oz./110 ml if you are carrying it on the plane). Think of every railing, subway handgrip, crumpled up banknote, and door handle you touch in just a short span of time. Your hands become the troop transports for the invading flu bugs, so wash ‘em well. This is the front line advice of that hand matter. The secondary line of defense is to avoid putting your hands around your mouth and nose. For heaven’s sake don’t bite your nails. (On a related note: Do the rest of us a favor and sneeze into your sleeve not your hand.)

Gargle morning and night with Listerine or warm salt water. This prevents the big population explosion of virus and bacteria.

This may seem a little gross, but clean your sinuses as well. Ever hear of a Neti pot? It costs about $10-15 at a pharmacy but essentially it is a handy little watering pot that delivers warm saltwater with a bit of baking soda up your nose. You can do just as well with a drinking glass if you don’t mind getting a little sloppy. Do it before your shower. By the way, this has been known to help people with sinus and allergy problems. Plus it’s never a bad idea to get out the black gunk that will shock you after spending some time in a big-time polluted or dusty city. Ever wonder why the Chinese are raucously clearing their throats and noses and spitting all day?

In some countries I have been warned: don’t drink cold liquids, they will make you sick. Well, no, not exactly. However, it is true that warm liquids can wash out some of the potential germs in the mouth and throat and send them to an acid bath downstairs. Never a bad thing. (And on a totally personal nonscientific note, I find a cup of coffee’s caffeine boosts my energy and mood and I swear it helps me fight off whatever’s ailing me just a little faster. Sleeping all the time seems to slow down my metabolism and that isn’t the best thing. Get good sleep but don’t lie down like you’re dying either.)

Eat well. Sleep well. Obvious, no? Vitamin C is obvious as well, but some also credit garlic for an immuno-boost. Zinc helps your body absorb Vitamin C, so maybe pack that too if you are taking Vitamin C in tablet form, but the zinc swabs for your nostrils that nip colds in the bud have also shown signs of wiping out some people’s sense of smell – permanently. I personally swear by Echinacea. Take it as soon as you feel the slightest symptom. I used to have 3 to 4 colds a year and always whenever I traveled between climates or seasons. Since I stocked up on Echinacea about four years ago, I have had one. That one cold was the night I went to bed and thought I felt the tickle of a cold, and rather than popping a capsule of Echinacea, I decided I’d just do it in the morning. Too late. Don’t delay. Echinacea is often taken as a tea (hot drink=good) but the capsules travel well and are convenient when there’s not a teapot around.

Also by Kevin Revolinski: