Fact Sheet: Colds and Flu at Work

Each year, between 5% and 20% of Americans get the flu, and miss a staggering 70 million work days as a result. The indirect costs? Between $3 billion to $12 billion a year.

Fact: Workplace prevention is key. Get vaccinated.

Both the flu shot and the nasal flu vaccine are highly effective for preventing the flu. However, they are not 100% effective. Therefore, people can still get the flu although it's usually less severe and resolves more quickly.

To reduce your risk of sharing cold and flu viruses at work, try these five prevention strategies:

1. Call in sick when necessary. Viruses are easily transmitted in close quarters like offices. Stay home if you have any of these symptoms:

• Fever
• Headache
• Extreme tiredness
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle aches
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

2. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. Viruses are primarily transmitted through mucus.

3. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. Rub your hands for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gels.

4. Don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

5. Wipe down your desk and other common areas with disinfectant wipes. Research out of the University of Arizona found that telephones desks, water fountain handles, microwave door handles, and computer keyboards in offices contain large amounts of the germs that cause colds and flus.

For more information:

The WebMD Cold & Flu Survivor's Guide

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov
800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
888-232-6348 (TTY)