Back in 1918, when a flu epidemic brought America to its knees, there weren't many innovations in the way of germ-fighting tactics. Well, this is the 21st century, which means there are plenty of new, inventive ways to encourage prevention.

Those of you with iPhones can now track swine flu outbreaks with a new application, ingeniously entitled "Outbreaks Near Me." But, wait! There's more: there are flu-related games. Because when you're in an outbreak of the dreaded H1N1, you'll need a distraction.

Of course, not everyone has iPhones. So, for those of you poor schmucks who don't, King County, in Seattle, has been distributing a new comic book to inform readers of flu epidemics past and present. It's filled with useful tips, like how to cover your mouth when you sneeze and information on the delicate process of washing one's hands. Thanks, Seattle!

Meanwhile, for the rug rats, the government has teamed with Sesame Street to get the word out on all the contagious craziness. Of the partnership, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says:

We are thrilled to partner with Elmo, Gordon, and Sesame Workshop again to emphasize the steps kids and their parents can take to stay happy and healthy this school year.

Watch for Big Bird and the rest of the gang to tackle bed bugs next.

This wouldn't be America if some enterprising company weren't trying to capitalize on swine flu, which explains why Delaware-based GIANTmicrobes has come out with a stuffed toy that's meant to look like the infectious disease. God bless.