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Work and the Flu - Tips for You

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Work and the Flu – What Should You Do?

This is the final installment of a three-part series highlighting the theme of community immunity this flu season. Because preventing the spread of flu extends to the office and your community at large.

After weeks of widespread activity, it looks like we’re finally seeing a light at the end of the influenza tunnel. The CDC now says the flu season has peaked for the year.[1] But it’s still not time to sound the all clear. Flu activity remains high in 21 states, with 15 states reporting moderate levels of the flu.[2]flu and work

Disclaimer: we were compensated for this post but as always we provide you quality content and all opinions are our own.

So, even though it looks like the worst is over, it’s not time to let your guard down, especially for the nation’s businesses. Sick employees remain a major concern this time of year.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu can be a significant burden for businesses. In a typical year, in between employee sick days and lost productivity, the estimated cost of the flu is a staggering $7 billion.[3]

Maintaining a healthier workforce can lower direct costs such as insurance premiums and worker’s compensation claims.[4] It will also positively impact many indirect costs such as absenteeism and worker productivity. [5]

You can also take precautions to avoid getting infected as you make your way to the office. For starters, don’t be a contagious commuter. If you use public transportation, frequently-touched surfaces can harbor the flu virus, like handrails, grab handles and straps.[6]  After touching these areas, avoid touching your face, eyes, or nose to prevent infection.[7] For car commuters, the gas station is laden with risks. The buttons on the ATM machine and gas pump handles are particularly germy.[8] So play it safe and wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after you touch any contaminated objects.[9]

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flu seasonOnce you’ve dodged the influenza virus on the way to the office, make sure to keep up the good work at the workplace. Personal steps you can take include disinfecting commonly shared areas –for example, if you share a desk, a tablet or a phone, wipe them down with sanitizer.[10]  If you shake hands with someone, wash your hands immediately afterwards.[11] And if a co-worker in your office is coughing or sneezing, steer clear!  Better yet, encourage your fellow employee to take a sick day to prevent spreading the illness to others.

Employers can also do their part to foster a healthy workplace by providing employees with hand sanitizer and tissues, and having the cleaning crews regularly wipe down commonly shared surfaces.[12]

BUT – as mentioned in Part 1 and Part 2 of this series -- do your office a favor this flu season – if you think you’re getting sick, stay at home!

Of course, the best way to be a team player this flu season is to get the flu shot – it’s the single, most effective way to avoid getting sick.[13]  Families Fighting Flu wants to remind the public that the flu is a serious illness, and if the sobering news headlines spotlighting the extent of influenza-related deaths this season were not enough to make you take precautions, you’ll want to check out the video below for more reasons on why it’s critical to get vaccinated, even this late in the season.

A few fast flu facts….

Did you know that influenza virus can remain on surfaces for up to 48 hours? And did you know that people can remain infectious for 5 to 7 days after getting sick? In fact, you can spread the flu virus 1 day before you even start to feel sick.[14]

So, if you do get the flu, take one for the team and do the right thing by staying home until at least 24-hours after your fever ends.[15] To learn more about flu and how to protect yourself and your co-workers, visit www.familiesfightingflu.org.

Make sure to check out our other tips for flu season like our Flu Prevention-Keep Your Family Safe At Home This Flu Season article.

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/summary.htm

[2] https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/summary.htm

[3] https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/flu/activities.html

[4] https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/model/

[5] https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/model/

[6] https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/archived/cleaning-railcars.html

[7] https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/archived/cleaning-railcars.html

[8] http://www.highlighthealth.com/cold-and-flu/top-10-places-cold-and-flu-germs-hide/

[9] https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/archived/cleaning-railcars.html

[10] https://www.cdc.gov/nonpharmaceutical-interventions/workplace/employees.html

[11] https://www.cdc.gov/nonpharmaceutical-interventions/gathering/event-attendees.html

[12] https://www.cdc.gov/nonpharmaceutical-interventions/workplace/workplace-administrators.html

[13] https://www.cdc.gov/nonpharmaceutical-interventions/workplace/employees.html

[14] https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/rr/rr6601a1.htm

[15] https://www.cdc.gov/nonpharmaceutical-interventions/gathering/event-attendees.html

 

By on April 2nd, 2018

About Powered by Mom

I’m Michelle aka Powered by Mom. I’m married with one daughter, my hubby was my high school sweetheart, our two dogs Nyx and Cleo and our cat Oliver. As you can see we’re a family of animal lovers. We love to travel when we can, try different food and activities all over the world and enjoy being together. My passions are writing, travelling, creating new recipes, encouraging people to adopt not shop and just to enjoy life while we can.

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8 thoughts on “Work and the Flu - Tips for You”

  1. I'm a fitness instructor, and it is really hard to teach class whenever I am sick. It is so important for me to get the flu shot. My pre-school daughter got the flu shot this year at school, and luckily was one of the few kids in her class who didn't get the flu.

    Reply
  2. A break from work is important when you are sick, it's to prevent you from spreading to others, also so you can recover completely before going back. If you drag the sickness on it will become longer before you can recover and unnecessary suffering for your body and for other people

    Reply
  3. I have to say this has been one of the worst flu seasons I can ever remember. My aunt's 47 yr old boyfriend got the flu and passed away from complications from the flu on March 21. he was an otherwise healthy man. My family is currently battling stomach flu it's just so terrible. Thanks for the tips, I'm never skipping a flu shot again, I don't care how effective it might be, at least I would feel a little better than without it.

    Reply
  4. Greta tips! I lucked out this winter because I usually get really sick at least once but knock on wood I made it through with a slight cold.

    Reply
  5. We have a gal at the office that has brought in the flu, Strep and everything else.. I wish they would all just stay home when they are sick. I found this interesting about how much time is lost when people are out sick, but I would rather it stay one person than a bunch of us sick with the flu..

    Reply
  6. What great websites to go to. I never would have thought of so many places to go to for information about the Flu. You offered lots of good information.

    Reply
  7. I wish everyone would take this advice, but there are always people that come to work sick anyway and it's not always because they want to do it. I had a boss once that wanted everyone there, sick or not because she would have to do our work if we weren't there and she really didn't want to do that. I don't think she is alone. While bosses may lose money from some people missing work with the flu, the more they insist people come in sick, the more people end up being out sick and they lose MORE money....but logic doesn't always seem to sink in, so... all we can do is take your advice about washing hands and not touching our face, etc. and hope for the best.

    Reply
  8. thanks for the tips! I work in a social services agency, and last year was out a week with the flu as it went through our office. Unfortunately having lots of contact with the public is unavoidable in my job, but with care I can try to avoid and or minimize the risks of getting sick.

    Reply

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