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How to avoid getting sick at the office This advice sheet has been produced for those who work in healthcare professions, the media, those with responsibility for giving guidance to the public, and for the public themselves on how to reduce the risks of spread of infections such as colds, flu and the winter vomiting norovirus in the office environment. Once someone in the office goes down with a cold or influenza, or the winter vomiting norovirus, the infection can spread very quickly to others. We tend to accept this as inevitable, but by understanding how these viruses spread, and following common sense hygiene measures, we can do a lot to reduce the risks of these infections spreading. All three viruses can be spread by the airborne route. For someone with a cold or flu, infected droplets of mucous generated through coughing and sneezing can circulate in the air for some time. When someone with the norovirus bug vomits, this also generates infected aerosol droplets. If we inhale these droplets we can become infected. Cold viruses in particular, and probably also flu viruses, can also be spread via hands and surfaces, as can norovirus. If an infected person has virus on their hands these can be transferred to any surface which they touch. Aerosolized particles can also settle on surfaces and the virus can remain viable and infectious for significant periods of time. Rhinoviruses, the cause of most common colds, can live up to three hours on the skin, and on objects such as telephones and stair railings. If an uninfected person shakes hands with the infected person or touches a contaminated surface, the virus is transferred to their hands. They can then become infected by touching their mouth or nose, or rubbing their eyes. Norovirus infection can also be spread if they handle ready to eat food such as sandwiches with contaminated hands. A recent study using harmless tracer viruses, showed that contamination of a single doorknob or table top results in the spread of viruses throughout office buildings, hotels, and health care facilities. Within 2 to 4 hours, the virus could be detected on 40 to 60% of commonly touched objects. In the office, the first area contaminated was the coffee break room. In hotels, the virus travelled between rooms as workers cleaned the rooms. The results showed that hygiene measures on high touch areas (door knobs, sink tap (faucet) handles, toilet flush handle, telephone) significantly reduces the spread of viruses. Knowing how quickly germs can spread through an office, here are some tips you can use to avoid getting sick at work through the cold and flu, and winter vomiting bug season. These hygiene measures are particularly important when there are people in the office who are infected: Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Getting Sick at the Office Wash your hands frequently during the day. Hand washing is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent infectious illness. Wash your hands with soap and warm water after using the bathroom, after sneezing or coughing into your hands or a tissue, before preparing or eating food or touching a contaminated object/surface. Wash correctly by wetting them, and applying soap, and rubbing your hands together—back and front—and interlocking and releasing your fingers to cleanse between fingers. Wash for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse your hands thoroughly under running water and dry them. Use hand sanitizer when hand washing facilities are inconvenient or unavailable. Small bottles of alcohol hand sanitizer can be kept at your desk or in key locations in the office, such as the “break room”. Using the recommended amount of hand sanitizer and rub all surfaces of the hands thoroughly until dry. Be mindful of the potential to spread germs via handshaking. Refrain from touching your face after shaking hands. Keep hand sanitizer in your desk, purse or brief case for discreet use after handshaking. Cough or sneeze preferably into a tissue, or at least into the crook of your elbow instead of onto your hands. Your elbow is not the germ transporter that your hands are! Dispose of the tissue immediately into the waste bin. Don’t leave it around for someone else to pick up. Then wash or sanitize you hands. Keep your hands away from your face to help prevent germs travelling from fingers to your eyes, nose and mouth. Keep disinfecting wipes near commonly used computers and telephones and use them to wipe down keyboards, computer mice, telephone push keys and receivers. Use your knuckle instead of the pad of your finger to depress elevator keys or automatic door openers. Beware the common areas Think about the places multiple hands go, such as door handles, the fax machine, office coffee pot, elevator buttons and the water fountain. Prepare your lunch on a disposable plate or paper towel instead of directly on the surface counter of the coffee break room or kitchen. Always wash your hands or sanitise them before handling and eating food. Wash up any utensils and coffee mugs immediately after use in hot soapy water, and then rinse and dry them. Don’t use other peoples dirty coffee mugs. If you vomit into the toilet or washbasin in the restroom/bathroom, make sure that the toilet or basin is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with a bleach disinfectant or other disinfectant which is effective against viruses. Make sure you also clean and disinfect the toilet seat and flush handle, or the basin taps or any other surfaces which you may have touched. Wash your hands thoroughly. If you vomit in the office, clean and disinfect the surfaces thoroughly, using paper towels which can be disposed of and then wash your hands. If possible, open windows and keep everyone else away from the affected area. Use a clean paper towel to act as a barrier between you and the restroom/bathroom door handle as you exit. Door handles are a common source of infection. Page 2/3 Stay home when you are sick! If you know you're ill, stay home at least 24 hours after your fever is gone or you have stopped vomiting. In fact, you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick, Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. If you have had a bout of norovirus, you are likely to be shedding norovirus in you faeces for at least a week or more after your symptoms have ceased, so take great care with toilet hygiene Also Make sure you are getting adequate sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising to shore up your immune system. Get a seasonal flu shot. The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year. IFH: Last updated December 2014 Page 3/3