up to seven or more days after becoming sick that means that one can pass on the infection to someone else before heshe even knows that heshe is sick as well as while one is sickwhat can i do to protect myself from getting sickthere is no vaccine available right now to protect against h1n1 swine flu there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza take these everyday steps to protect your health cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze throw the tissue in the trash after you use it wash your hands often with soap and water especially after you cough or sneeze alcoholbased hand cleaners are also effective avoid touching your eyes nose or mouth germs spread this way try to avoid close contact with sick people if you get sick with influenza you should stay at home and not go for work or school and limit contact with others to prevent them from getting infecting by you reduce the time spent in the crowded settings improve airflow in the living space by opening the windows and proper ventilation practice good health habits including adequate sleep eating nutritious food and keeping physically activehow long can influenza virus remain viable on objects such as books and doorknobsstudies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for up to 28 hours after being deposited on the surfacegerms can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes nose or mouth droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk for example and then touches his own eyes mouth or nose before washing handsare there medicines to treat h1n1 swine fluyes use of oseltamivir brand name tamiflu or zanamivir brand name relenza for the treatment andor prevention of infection with these h1n1 swine influenza viruses antiviral drugs are prescription medicines pills liquid or an inhaler that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body if you get sick antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster they may also prevent serious flu complications for treatment antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick within two days of symptomsfollow the advice of your local public health department regarding school closures avoiding crowds and other measures to reduce flu transmission these measures will continue to be important after a novel h1n1 vaccine is available because they can prevent the spread of other viruses that cause respiratory infectionswhat should i do if i get sickif you live in areas where people have been identified with new h1n1 flu and become ill with influenzalike symptoms including fever body aches runny or stuffy nose sore throat