October 2022
· 2 min read
5 Ways To Be a Flu Fighter
Now that you and your co-workers may be saying goodbye to video conferences and heading back to the office, it’s time to consider the steps you need to take to be a flu fighter and protect yourself from the flu and other viruses.
Unfortunately, an NSF survey shows that at least one quarter (26%) of American employees admit to going to work when they are sick. This makes it even more important to do whatever you can not to go to work while feeling under the weather and to avoid getting sick at work.
“By staying vigilant and using these best practices both at home and at work, you’ll be able to help keep yourself, your family and your colleagues healthy and safe,” said Matt Taylor, Senior Manager of Consulting at NSF.
NSF offers these five tips to get you ready for this year’s cold and flu season and to help you continue protecting yourself from COVID:
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1
Wash Up
Wash your hands frequently. Use water and soap and scrub for 20 seconds. Rinse thoroughly and dry hands completely. Soap and water are more effective than hand sanitizers at removing germs like norovirus, Cryptosporidium, and coronavirus. Sing “Happy Birthday” twice, and those 20 seconds will pass quickly! Signs placed above handwashing stations in restrooms are a great way to remind everyone to wash their hands thoroughly.
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2
Keep Sanitizing
Hand sanitizers are a good alternative if you’re in a place where there is no sink available. They work more effectively to reduce the number of microbes on your hands, but only when your hands are not physically dirty. Remember, though — hand sanitizing is not a substitute for proper handwashing.
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3
Get a Flu Vaccine
Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever to protect yourself and the people around you, according to the U.S. and European Centers for Disease Prevention and Control.
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4
Clean Your Workspace
Pack a can of disinfectant or sanitizer wipes into your backpack to use at work. Clean your workspace, as many employers are using shared areas. Disinfect high-touch surfaces, such as phones, doorknobs, appliance handles and cupboard doors. Consider not eating at your desk, but if you do, remember to clean it before getting your lunch or snack out!
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5
Stay Home if You’re Sick
If there is any chance you feel sick, the best thing you can do for yourself and your co-workers is to stay home.
Sources:
www.cdc.gov/handwashing/hand-sanitizer-use.html
www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/seasonal-influenza/prevention-and-control/personal-protective-measures
www.cdc.gov/handwashing/faqs.html#soap
www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/seasonal-influenza/prevention-and-control/seasonal-influenza-vaccines