Associated Press/Carlos Osorio, file

University of Michigan freshman Alicja Sobilo wears a surgical mask at work as part of a study as to whether the use of masks affects the spread of flu or other respiratory illnesses in Ann Arbor, Mich.

A global recession looms.

Unemployment rates are rising. Nights are getting longer. Days are getting colder. And the holiday shopping season is poised to begin.

Which means now is the perfect time to prepare for the cold and flu season.

Robert G. Miller, a family-practice doctor in suburban Memphis, Tenn., said with a few simple steps and the right vaccinations, an adult, particularly a healthy adult, can dramatically reduce the odds of catching a cold or being sidelined by serious flu complications.

"Adults really can prevent and not even catch colds," he said. "Good hygiene is very important. I can't stress that enough. If you are around a co-worker who is coughing and sneezing, if you are touching doorknobs or sharing pens, it is very important to wash your hands."

Cases of the common cold start rising in early September and usually remain high well into spring.

Americans suffer through 1 billion colds annually. Federal health officials estimate the infection costs the nation 22 million lost school days each year. There's no known remedy to prevent or speed recovering from any of the more than 200 responsible viruses.

Influenza viruses typically lag a bit, and often peak after the New Year.

Federal health officials estimate that one in five Americans will likely spend a week or two suffering through the fever, chills, fatigue and dry hacking cough that characterize flu. An estimated 200,000 will wind up hospitalized with complications and 36,000 will die.

That doesn't include the other viruses that trigger nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throats, sinus, ear or other problems.

Together, the bugs help explain why Dr. David Richardson advises against sharing even pens this time of year. Or shaking hands.

Richardson is the medical director of the Delta Medical Center emergency room in Memphis.

"There is no doubt keeping your environment as antiseptic as possible is a good idea," he said. "If you are ill, stay away from the workplace, at least for the first few days."

And get the shot. This year's influenza vaccine protects against two strains of the influenza A/Brisbane flu as well as a B/Florida strain of the virus. Although the vaccine doesn't come with a money-back guarantee, it is about 70 percent to 90 percent effective in preventing flu in healthy adults younger than 65.

Younger smokers might also consider the shot. An influential government panel recently recommended the shot for the estimated 31 million Americans who smoke. Research suggests smokers are four times more likely than nonsmokers to be sickened by pneumococcal bugs.