Originally Published by Rollingout
When flu season rolls around, the workplace often becomes a breeding ground for illness. Shared spaces, close contact with coworkers and high-stress environments can make it easy for the flu virus to spread. Understanding how you might catch the flu at work can help you take steps to avoid it. Here are five ways the flu can spread in the workplace and what you can do to protect yourself.
The workplace — a hub of productivity and collaboration — can quickly turn into a battleground during flu season. One person’s sniffle can lead to a chain reaction, causing many employees to fall ill. Beyond the discomfort, the flu can result in lost workdays, decreased productivity and a strain on overall well-being. Knowing how the flu spreads is the first step in safeguarding your health. This article delves into the common ways the flu virus can be transmitted in the workplace and offers insights into how to reduce your risk of catching it.
1. Touching contaminated surfaces
In any workplace, shared surfaces like doorknobs, elevator buttons, keyboards and communal kitchen appliances are hotspots for germs. When someone with the flu touches these surfaces, they leave behind the virus— which can survive for hours or even days. You can inadvertently catch the flu by touching these contaminated surfaces and then touching your face, especially your mouth, nose or eyes.
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