The following message is given by a doctor with over 20 years of clinical experience.  It is important for all of us to know and follow these simple rules.

The only portals of entry for these viruses are the nostrils and mouth/throat.  In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, it is advisable to follow these simple steps. Doing so will help you to prevent proliferation and it will guard you against aggravation of symptoms and the development of secondary infections. These steps are not fully highlighted in most official communications, and it is more useful to think and act along these practical lines rather than focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu:

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach.  Resist all temptations to touch any part of your face (unless you want to eat, bath, ect.).
3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you prefer).  H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial contact in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms.  Simple gargling prevents proliferation.  In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one.  Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water.  Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.
5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (e.g. citrus fruits).  If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that they also contain Zinc to boost absorption.
6. Drink as much warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc.) as you can.  Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction.  They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.