Flu Season and Staying Healthy

It’s that time of year again, the time when you start hearing coughing and sneezing throughout the workplace and a box of tissues is placed conveniently near your computer keyboard.

 The cold and flu season typically runs from November – April. Readily spread when people are indoors, cold and flu viruses are often passed along from person to person and surface to surface in the workplace. According to the CDC, people are most contagious during the first 2-3 days of contracting a cold and almost immediately and for about 5 days thereafter after being infected with the flu – even before symptoms develop. However, there are many actions you can take to prevent the spread of cold and flu viruses at work.

1.  Wash Your Hands for at least 15-20 seconds with soap  many times a day  or sanitize with an alcohol-gel hand sanitizer, especially  following contact with  potentially contaminated surfaces

2.  Avoid touching your face, eyes, or rubbing your nose

3.  Wash out your water bottle daily

4.  Clean shared items such as phones, keyboards, handles and door knobs with alcohol wipes or other sanitizer- type wipes

5.  Avoid close contact with anyone who has a cold or flu

6.  Sneeze and cough into a tissue, throw the tissue away, and then wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than your hand

7.  Drink plenty of fluids, but do not share drinking cups or straws

8. Get lots of fresh air

9. Exercise regularly and frequently

10.  Eat healthy foods such as whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables

Treating a Cold or Flu

1. If you do get sick, stay at home

2.  Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water or juices – between 9-13 cups per day)

3. De-stress and avoid strenuous activity – physical, emotional, or   mental stress can be      

    major drains on the immune system

4.   Get plenty of rest – most people need seven to nine hours of sleep each night

5.  Drink green tea or ginger tea each stimulate the immune system to fight off infections

6.  Ask your doctor about over the counter drugs which may alleviate symptoms