Download How to avoid getting sick at the office

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.
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 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
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