Winter nasties on the way...

Wash hands, wash hands, wash hands. Honestly this is the easiest way to prevent virus. Teach your kids (and yourself) to wash your hands for as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" or the "ABC song". It's not so important to have anti-bacterial soaps but hand washing is a must.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-washing/HQ00407

I also agree with the handwashing thing... we hardly ever get sick, as we are fastidious with handwashing the moment we come in the door.

Also, I know it sounds weird, but I believe in keeping the house clean but NOT in a sterile condition. I know of people here who have their lives wrapped in sterile clingwrap - using antibacterial sprays everywhere except their armpits, and their families are ALWAYS sick - I mean - always! and sometimes severely.

We need some good bacteria in our bodies to strengthen our immune systems (and goodness knows, we need strong systems here). Although I doubt there is much good bacteria on the streets of Beijing (!) I do not believe in using paint-stripper chemicals and sterilising our lives to Howard Hughs proportions... it seems to have a negative effect from what I have seen so far in Beijing.

That would be the flu shot, and its available wherever medical care is offered to human beings. Best received between now and November, before flu season hits.