- </a>It’s that time of year again. Yes, the time when the office becomes the battleground for the common cold or, even worse, influenza. According to the <strong>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</strong>, the flu alone costs American companies $10.4 billion in costs. Year after year, the pesky bug is passed from co-worker to co-worker until nearly everyone at the office has the sore throat, runny nose and high fever complex. <strong>BlackEnterprise.com</strong> spoke to <strong>Pete D. Williams, MD</strong> from <strong>Northeast Georgia Regional Medical Center</strong> in about ways to keep yourself, colleagues and work environment safe during this cold-and-flu season.–<em>Janel Martinez</em>
- </a>Get vaccinated–</strong> This year's vaccine protects against three viruses: the 2009 H1N1 (swine) flu virus, the H3N2 virus, which often causes high rates of pneumonia and death, and an influenza B virus. But many people aren’t sold on getting the vaccine. A recent Consumer Reports survey of 1500 U.S. adults shows that only 37% plan on getting vaccinated. Dr. Williams suggests, like the CDC, everyone over the age of six months get the vaccination. The vaccine is roughly 70 to 90% effective for healthy adults.
Woman filling syringe
- </a>Wash your hands frequently–</strong> "The number one preventative is washing your hands," says the internal medicine specialist. For hand washing to be effective, rub hands together with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing the backs of your hands, between your fingers, under your nails and your wrist. If you're unable to get to a sink, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- </a>Disinfect common surfaces–</strong> Don't be shy when it comes to wiping down telephone receivers, keyboards, doorknobs and other office surfaces with disinfectant wipes or sprays. The flu is spread through airborne transmission (i.e., sneezing or coughing). Cold and flu germs can survive outside of the body anywhere from a few minutes up to 48 hours. Flu viruses tend to live longer on surfaces than cold viruses do.
- </a>Don't cough or sneeze into your hand–</strong> <strong><span style="font-weight: normal">Sneezes and coughs can creep up instantly and before you know it you’ve expelled millions of droplets into the air (or your hand). Always have tissues on hand making sure you cover your mouth and nose when you feel one of these actions coming on. Dispose of the tissue immediately after.</span></strong>
- </a>Avoid touching your face–</strong> Rubbing your eyes, scratching your nose or any hand-facial interaction while exposed to germs is a no-no. Viruses enter your body through openings such as the eyes, nose or mouth.
![Keep your distance-- Whether you're sick or someone else, stay as far away as possible from others. "If a person is sick, avoid being in close proximity to those people," says Dr. Williams. "When a person is infected, he or she can pass it [the flu] on fairly easy," says Dr. Williams.](http://cdn4.blackenterprise.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2011/01/Flu_7.jpg "Flu_7")
- </a>Keep your distance–</strong> Whether you're sick or someone else, stay as far away as possible from others. "If a person is sick, avoid being in close proximity to those people," says Dr. Williams. "When a person is infected, he or she can pass it [the flu] on fairly easy," says Dr. Williams.
- </a>Sharing is not necessarily caring in this situation–</strong> Mom's age old rule of keeping your hands to yourself should be applied. Don't feel obligated to share or accept office supplies, food or any other swaps from sick co-workers. They will understand.
- </a>Stay at home–</strong> Workers are often hesitant about cashing in their sick days, but they could be doing more harm than good. According to a <a href="http://www.staplesadvantage.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Staples Advantage</strong></a> survey, 65% of employees are coming to work sick. Dr. Williams disagrees with this dangerous behavior. "It's definitively not a practice that the CDC recommends. You should definitely stay away from your work and should not return till 24-hours after your fever ends."
- </a>Maintain a healthy diet–</strong> Preventing illness doesn't just start when seasonal illnesses are at a peak, but all year round. Good nutrition helps prevent your susceptibility to viruses and strengthens your immune system. Although it's not summer, you should still drink lots of water and liquids to stay hydrated.
- </a>Make time in your day to relax–</strong> You're always on the move, but not taking time out of your day to unwind can wear and tear on your body. <strong><a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2011/01/11/depression-the-black-communitys-dirty-little-secret/">Stress</a></strong> can lower your immune system's ability to respond to an attack, but relaxing will increase interleukins, which triggers your immune system's response against viruses and colds, in your bloodstream.
High angle view of a young woman lying on back and listening music
- </a><em>For related content, read:</em></strong></p> <a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2011/01/18/patient-empowerment-checklist/"><strong>5 Tips For Being An Empowered Patient </strong></a></p> <a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2011/01/21/house-republicans-passes-healthcare-repeal/"><strong>Washington Report: House Republicans Pass Healthcare Repeal </strong></a></p> <a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2011/01/19/congressional-democrats-stand-up-against-obamacare-repeal/"><strong>Democrats Stand Up Against ObamaCare Repeal </strong></a></p>
Smiling doctor
