How to Flu Proof Your Office

Who wants to catch the flu? Certainly not me! I bet you don’t want to get the bug as well. Although many articles are written on how to flu-proof your home, not much is written on how to flu-proof your office. Come to think of it, we spend most of our time at the work. Not to say the making your home germ-free is less important, but we can easily get the flu virus at the office. As such, everyone needs to be wary of germs looming in the workplace. You don’t want to take them home with you.

According to Dr. Charles Gerba from the University of Arizona, we touch approximately 30 objects per minute at work. Moreover, his study revealed that the office cubicle is a haven for germs in the office. Surely, this is an excellent reason to heed these flu-proofing tips so you won’t contract the flu or be an agent to spread the flu virus.

It will not suffice to wipe surfaces with a tissue paper or rag. Instead, you need to disinfect your work space. It’s a good thing that there are disinfecting wipes in the market. Some of the products that you may consider include Lysol’s sanitizing wipes or even Clorox’s disinfecting wipes. But if you don’t have time to buy it right now, try using 70% isopropyl alcohol and tissue in the meantime.

Here are some items that you need to constantly disinfect:

• Keyboard
• Computer’s mouse
• Telephone handset and its base
• Calculator
• Stapler and staple remover
• Desk surface
• Drawer handles
• Your cellphone
• Doorknobs

Hand washing is a staple in fighting the flu virus and other germs at home and in the office. But according to Dr. Jack brown, it’s not enough to just wash. In fact, he suggests scrubbing your hands thoroughly. This helps dislodge particulates and germs that may be proliferating on your hands. Moreover, Dr. Brown recommends scrubbing at least for 45 seconds. So spend a few more seconds in the washroom to clean your hands.

• Consider germicidal soaps
• Germ-fighting liquid hand wash
• Use clean wash cloths
• Dry your hands with a hand dryer or a clean cloth

Here’s another for your hands. Sanitize them often. Hand sanitizers are a staple in hospitals and in the food service industry. Your company should also consider placing hand sanitizers in key areas such as near doors and lavatories. But if your office does not have a budget for this; you can always buy your personal stash.

Employees need to sanitize their hands as often as possible. But pay close attention during these instances because they require immediate hand sanitizing:

• After sneezing or coughing
• After holding/touching shared items like staplers, phone handsets
• Touching or holding commonly handled items like doorknobs and drawer handles
• Shaking hands with someone you do not know – of course do this discretely

Sneezing and coughing are physiological reflexes. But before you let go of your sneeze or cough, make sure you have a handkerchief or tissue ready. In addition, covering your mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing decreases the spread of the flu virus or any other germs you may have. Thus, when you get that tingling feeling, reach for a tissue or handkerchief at once. Plus, don’t forget to wash or sanitize your hands right after. Likewise, never forget to dispose used tissue properly.

• This is a viral infection that easily spreads from one person to another
• Affects anyone regardless of age, race, gender
• Causes seasonal epidemics usually during winter
• This is an acute infection that may cause death
• Vaccination is the primary preventive action
• Flu has an incubation period of approximately 2 days
• Signs & symptoms include high fever, cough, headache, malaise, muscle and joint pain, sore throat
• Common modes of transmission includes droplets from coughing and sneezing as well as touching surfaces where the virus is present
• Treat ment includes antiviral medications and treatment of the symptoms

Here’s a simple and practical way of preventing the flu virus from spreading in the office – carry your own pen. As ludicrous as it may sound, using your own pen can drastically diminish your chances of getting the flu virus. This prevents you from getting in contact with other people’s materials thus improves your chances of warding off the bug.

On the other hand, do not readily offer your pen to others for them to use. I know it seems selfish, but this is about protecting your self against the flu virus and not how to be friendly to co-workers. Since we’re on the subject of keeping items to yourself, it’s probably a good idea to stow your office items in your drawer if you are not using them. This prevents officemates from taking and using them.

Everyone must realize that using his/her own office materials will help fight the spread of germs in the office. It’s not about being selfish; rather, it’s being safe and flu-free.

It is a wise choice to stay home when sick. This allows you to rest and regain your strength to ward of the flu virus. Moreover, it prevents the spread of your disease in the office. But if you must go to work, make sure to heed the following:

• Wear a mask to protect others from your virus
• Minimize contact with other employees as much as possible
• Constantly disinfect and sanitize your hands and work area
• Inform the office regarding what bug you have
• Go home at once when you’re done with your work/assignment

We spend around eight hours a day in the office and this puts employees at risk. Even if it’s not the flu season, it is wise to heed these flu proofing tips. Likewise, employers must realize the importance of keeping the office clean and safe for everyone. But, it is the combined efforts of both the employees and the management to truly protect everyone from getting infected with the flu virus.