While many people will choose to get a flu shot each year, many others are opposed to the idea for various reasons. Your personal preference regarding the flu shot aside, here are a few suggestions to help you stay on the healthy, or at least non-flu, side of things: 

Hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the spreading of germs. Do you know how to wash your hands properly? Hint: A quick rinse in water and dry is not the answer.

• Rub the soap over your hands and between your fingers as you sing the alphabet song (out loud or to yourself); sing all the way through the final lines of "Now I know my ABCs, next time won't you sing with me."
• Rinse your hands well. While the soap won't kill all the germs, it will help to rinse them off.  
• Use a paper towel to turn off the water. Dry your hands, and then use the paper towel to open the door as you leave the bathroom.
• An alcohol based hand sanitizer is a good follow-up to hand washing, and/or for use on its own. 

Flu germs are spread mainly by the droplets made when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks and may spray up to six feet away.

• Sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not your hand. 
• If you sneeze into a tissue, throw it away - do NOT stash it in your pocket for later use.
• If you use a hankie, do so with your left hand; it will help you avoid germy handshakes.

Handshakes are not mandatory. If you are fighting a bug, you should do your best not to share, and you are within your "rights" to defend yourself -- it's all in the wording (along with your eye contact and friendly smile.)

• You: "Please excuse me for not shaking hands today; I am fighting a bug/cold/not feeling my best and do not wish to share!"  

• You, to the person with the dripping nose, cough or sneeze (especially into the hand): "Please excuse me for not shaking hands today; I am fighting a bug/cold/not feeling my best, and do not wish to share!"

If, for some reason, a handshake cannot be avoided, don't panic. Keep your hands from your face/nose/mouth, and as soon as possible, excuse yourself for a good hand washing/sanitizing.   

Sanitize your hands after touching commonly shared objects, such as door knobs, faucet handles, handrails, light switches, shared office supplies, etc. Periodically wipe down those same objects with a disinfecting wipe - don't forget your phone and car steering wheel.

Do not share eating utensils.

When you aren't feeling well, don't attend social functions. If you have RSVP'd for an event, call the host and make your excuses. Illness happens, it's understandable, and people don't want you there - really!

If you are ill, stay home and avoid spreading your germs around the workplace; you will get better faster and your co-workers will appreciate not catching your bug.  

However, having said this, I also know that there are many, many people who are not in a position to take time off from work due to a cold or even the flu, so I will simply say do your very best to avoid the germs people seem so happy to share, and if you do get caught, take whatever steps you can to minimize the impact they may have on others.