When cold and flu season rolls around, it does not take long for your normally healthy office to turn into a writhing Petri dish. In a perfect world, employees would simply stay home when they felt ill, and that would stop the nascent infection in its tracks. In the real world, however, workers often have no other choice but to show up at the office, and that can create big problems for their currently healthy co-workers.
If you are still feeling healthy while your coworkers are dropping like flies and fighting colds and flu, you may be wondering if you are next on the infection list. While there are no guarantees when it comes to health and well being, there are some things you can do to tip the odds in your favor. Here are some smart tips for staying healthy even when your coworkers are all getting sick.
Get a Flu Shot – and Do It Early
The sooner you get your annual flu shot, the sooner the immunity it imparts will start protecting you. The flu shot is not a magic bullet, but it can be very effective, especially in a busy office with lots of sick co-workers.
Eat a Healthy Diet
The foods you eat can play a major role in how well your immune system functions, so focus on creating a healthy diet when cold and flu season rolls around. A healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables can boost your immune system and reduce your odds of getting sick.
Exercise in the Fresh Air
Being locked up in the office with all that recirculated air exposes you to more germs, so get outside whenever and wherever you can. Take a walk at break time, leave the office and lunchtime and look for ways to get outdoors and enjoy some healthy exercise. The movement will do you good, and help you avoid the germs festering in the indoor air.
Work From Home If You Can
If you have the option, working from home until the peak infections have passed is always a smart idea. Depending on your job, this may or may not be possible, but it never hurts to ask.
Wash Your Hands Frequently
During cold and flu season, washing your hands after using the bathroom and after meals may not be enough, so create a hand washing regimen that will provide the highest possible level of protection. Wash your hands after handling equipment that has been used by coworkers, including the copiers, printers and other common office components.
Sanitize the Telephones
The telephones at your office could be harboring all manner of germs, and putting that germ factory in your face virtually guarantees an infection. Use sanitizing wipes to clean the phones in conference rooms and other common areas, and give your own phone a rubdown each morning and several times throughout the day.
Cold and flu season can be a real problem for workers, but you do not have to be the next one felled by infection. If you prepare carefully and make the right moves now, you can tip the odds in your favor, and hopefully emerge from unscathed even as those around you are falling ill.
In case you do fall ill despite your best efforts, you can always seek care at Accelerated Urgent Care. They specialize in treating cold and flu, with 16 convenient locations throughout California. What’s more, they offer telemedicine services, allowing you to consult a healthcare professional from anywhere, ensuring you receive the care and treatment you need promptly. Stay vigilant and prioritize your health during cold and flu season and remember that Accelerated Urgent Care is there to help if you do get sick.
