- Flu Prevention
5 Tips for Flu Prevention at the Workplace
Posted on February 19, 2024
If your office is sounding a little sniffly lately it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Flu season is in full swing and respiratory illnesses are sweeping through workplaces nationwide. At Families Fighting Flu, we understand the gravity of the flu’s impact and are committed to empowering individuals and communities to take proactive steps toward prevention.
That’s why we’ve put together these tips to arm yourself and your colleagues with the knowledge and tools to combat the influenza virus effectively. Here are five ways you can help keep your workplace flu-free this flu season:
1. Get Your Flu Shot
The single most effective way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated annually. The flu vaccine not only protects you but also reduces the spread of the virus to those around you, including vulnerable populations like young children, those 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems. If you haven’t made it a priority to get a flu shot this year, it’s never too late!
2. Practice Good Hygiene
Think about all the surfaces you touch during a regular workday. During peak influenza season there is no guarantee that someone with the flu hasn’t touched the doorknob, desk, or faucet you’ve touched before doing activities like eating, rubbing your eyes, or otherwise coming into contact with your body. Proper hand hygiene can help you take a major role in stopping the spread of the influenza virus and other respiratory illnesses in the workplace.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing, or touching commonly shared surfaces like doorknobs and keyboards. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to kill germs effectively.
3. Stay Home If You’re Sick
A healthy workplace is a productive workplace. If you’re experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, or fatigue, please consider your coworkers and stay home from work. Staying home when you’re sick protects the people you work with from potential exposure and gives your body the rest it needs to recover faster than if you were slogging through in the office.
4. Keep Your Distance
Practice social distancing measures, especially during flu season. Avoid close contact with coworkers who are showing symptoms of illness, and refrain from sharing food, drinks, or utensils in the workplace. Consider holding meetings virtually or postponing non-essential gatherings to minimize the risk of transmission.
5. Boost Your Immune System
Strengthen your body’s natural defenses against the flu by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Get plenty of sleep, eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, stay hydrated, and engage in regular physical activity. Additionally, consider taking immune-boosting supplements such as vitamin C, zinc, and probiotics to support your immune system’s ability to fight off flu viruses.
Flu prevention at the workplace doesn’t have to be difficult. Implementing these five tips can help protect your workplace from the influenza virus this flu season and contribute to reducing flu deaths in our communities.
Learn More About Families Fighting Flu
Families Fighting Flu (FFF) , a national, nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to honoring loved ones who have suffered serious medical complications or died from influenza, commemorates 20 years of advocacy protecting children, families, and all communities from the flu. Our 20th anniversary is a testament to our dedication and enduring efforts to protect families. It is also a sobering reminder that we are not done yet.
In sharing personal stories, FFF strives to increase awareness about the seriousness of the flu, reduce the number of hospitalizations and deaths each year, drive up vaccination rates for everyone six months and older, and encourage symptomatic individuals to get tested and receive appropriate treatment. Learn more about our mission and resources here so that you can empower your family to stay healthy this flu season.
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