Avoiding Illness at Work

You wake up with a runny nose, headache and a low-grade fever. You just want to stay in with a cup of tea ... but you have two projects to finish at work and playing catch-up will be brutal if you miss a day. On the other hand, your body is telling you to take it easy. What should you do?

When to stay home
Some people feel pressured to go into work even when they are under the weather. However, pushing yourself when you're ill can make you feel worse. Plus, you're putting your coworkers at risk of getting sick, too. If you have any of the following symptoms, you're better off staying at home:

• A bad cold or the flu
• Fever
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• A highly contagious condition, such as pinkeye
• An illness that makes getting to or doing your job hard or impossible, such as a migraine headache that affects your vision

Whenever you call out sick, explain to your supervisor why you're staying home (without being too graphic, of course). If you can, help relieve the burden on your coworkers. Put in a few hours at home, or offer to come in early or stay late when you're feeling well again. Coworkers may have to cover for you in your absence, but they will be thankful that you did your part to help stop the spread of illness. The most important thing is to get the rest that your body needs to heal.

How to stop the spread of germs at work
If you're under the weather, but have to work, or if there's a bug going around the office, here are some ways you can combat the germs:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the crook of your arm when you sneeze or cough.
• Wash your hands often. To get your hands clean, you have to rub them together in warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds. That's about the length of time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" in your head two times.
• Use hand sanitizing gels when you're not near a sink. Rub a dime-size amount between your palms and all over your fingers until your hands are dry. A gel may be more convenient to clean your hands than washing them every time you blow your nose. Keep a tube of moisturizing cream at your desk if the gel makes your skin feel dry.
• Wipe down your phone, computer keyboard, mouse, desk and chair arms with disinfectant wipes at least once a day. Common areas, like the staff kitchen (refrigerator handle, microwave door and water cooler), should also be cleaned regularly.

Other ways to stay healthy this season
In addition to taking those basic precautions, you can help avoid getting sick in other ways.

• Get plenty of rest every night.
• Eat balanced, nutritious meals, including foods rich in vitamins.
• Keep stress levels at bay. The holidays can be a tiring, emotional time, so get a little rest and relaxation now that the chaotic season has wound down.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Both cold weather and indoor heating can be very drying, so it's important to stay well hydrated.

Related Articles What Can I Do at Home to Feel Better When I Have a Cold or Flu? How to Beat Workplace Stress Fight Germs, Wash Your Hands

External Sources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stopping the spread of germs at work. Accessed December 12, 2007. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clean hands save lives! Accessed December 13, 2007.

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