It’s getting to be that time of year again. Christmas décor in department stores, holiday songs playing on the radio…and your body feels as though it’s been hit by a snowplow.
Yes, it’s flu season. That magical time of year when you have no free time to be sick yet, somehow, you cannot seem to avoid the bug. If you have children, they often bring a variety of germs home from school, but did you know that your office may be a breeding ground for the common cold and the flu?
Cold viruses are present year round, but that number rises as the weather gets cooler. The combination of cold temperatures and dry air decreases the normal amount of mucus we have in our nasal passages which make it easier for viruses to stick inside the nose.
When the weather is cold, people often go outside less which increases the amount of contact we have with our coworkers and thus, increases our chance of catching something.
People coming to work sick is also a common cause of infections spreading in the office. When sick employees do not stay home, they bring their flu or cold with them. If you are like me, when I spot a coworker sneezing, I usually sit as far from them as I can (while still being polite) and, it turns out, I have good reason to do this. When a sick person exhales, those respiratory viruses come out and can extend three feet around them, says Dr. William Schaffner, vice president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
But being near your ill coworkers isn’t the only way to fall ill. Rhinovirus (the culprit behind half of all colds) can contaminate objects that you make contact with everyday. Light switches, door knobs, or even your ID badge can be swarming with viruses!
To decrease your risk for catching a bug, there are special precautions you can take at work.
Wash your hands. Mom was right, it’s that simple. More organisms are passed through hand contact than sneezes, says Dr. Sutker, medical director of infectious diseases at Baylor University Medical Center.
Sanitize. If you cannot run to the bathroom or sink frequently, try to avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. You may also want to consider keeping a bottle of hand sanitizer at your desk. If you have time, clean your mouse, keyboard, and phone receiver as they can also carry viruses.
Maintain a healthy routine. Don’t bother buying all those vitamin C, echinacea, or zinc products that claim to prevent colds and the flu. Pop a daily multivitamin, get regular exercise, eat nutritious foods and get enough sleep – these are proven methods to keep you healthy.
Ready to test your flu savvy? Check out this interactive flu quiz – it’s a fun way to see how much you really know about this seasonal menace!