FAIRWAY, Kan. -- For all the attention the H1N1 flu virus has received, protecting yourself from it is no different than protecting yourself from a seasonal flu or cold.

Experts said the best defense is a faucet and soap.

Face masks available at drug stores may not help you with this flu strain -- the virus is so small that most masks won’t filter it out.

A better investment could be a bottle of hand sanitizer. It’s marked antibacterial, but the alcohol in it also kills viruses like the flu, KCTV5 News reported.

If you touch a public surface like stair rails, don’t touch your hands to your face or eyes until you’ve cleaned up.

However, experts said the virus can live for two hours or longer on hard surfaces like office phones. Wipe them down to kill the bugs.

And when you cough, cough in your elbow, which someone's not likely to shake.

Finally, be thorough when you wash your hands. Experts recommend lathering up for a good 15 to 20 seconds.