With the 2009 outbreak of the deadly H1N1 flu, popularly known as "swine flu," people across the globe crowded emergency rooms and clinics for treatment. During outbreaks, schools shut down and parents stayed home from work as the flu spread across the United States. But the best prevention method touted over and over again was profoundly simple: "Hand washing is a cheap, easy and effective way to avoid catching...the flu" reports USA TODAY, the Nation's No. 1 Newspaper. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, hand washing "has a huge positive] health impact." H1N1 and other types of influenza (flu) affect millions of people around the world every year. Between 250,000 and 500,000 of them will die. The good news is that effective vaccines are available to prevent the flu in most people. In this book, you'll read cases studies of people with various types of influenza and learn about the effects of this highly contagious yet preventable and treatable disease. You'll also find basic information about symptoms, transmission, prevention, treatment, and research to help you understand how to protect yourself, your friends, and your family from this common disease.