Most of us live in a world full of fear. We fear all sorts of big things out of our control — random crime, accidents or natural disasters, but we often foolishly believe we’re invincible against most little foes.

Modern science, however, indicates that the world’s tiniest creatures can often be the deadliest and pack a punch harder than any street robber.

A cough, a sniffle, no worries, we can handle this just fine. Many of us are, increasingly, serving as our own doctors. The Internet pretty much allows a person to prove or disprove the existence of practically any ailment in their lives — and provides a way to self-treat for the same.

And that’s some of the problem. It’s probably human nature — or at least a gene existing in many of us — to think we can handle getting our own bodies healed.

But it can also lead to dire consequences — particularly for those who already have suppressed immune systems.

Our nation is deep in the heart of flu season, and while local health experts say the problem isn’t rampant yet, it could turn that way quickly. Even at its current level of outbreak, the flu is believed to have caused at least one local death already.

That’s why it’s so important to use the tools within our means to try and avoid the flu’s spread.

That starts with getting a flu shot and ends with going to the doctor when you’re sick and know it’s not just a common cold. In the middle, add in some common sense things — washing your hands frequently, limiting exposure people who may be ill and cleaning surfaces that may be infected with germs.

Little things can — and do — hurt us, but in many cases, we have the means to prevent at least some of the likelihood for injury.

But it takes a little action on our parts.