How to Prevent Colds at Work

Adults get two to four colds each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Colds spread at work when a person comes into contact with a contaminated surface or inhaling droplets of mucous filled with cold germs. Most people catch colds in the fall and winter months when the air has a drying affect on the mucous membranes. This is when people are more susceptible to viruses that cause colds. If you cannot afford to take sick days, learn to prevent colds at work.

Things You'll Need

• Alcohol wipes
• Water
• Nasal spray

Instructions

1. Apply disinfecting wipes to the computer keyboards, desktop, phone, headset or scanner. Make sure the wipes carry an EPA registration number on the label and that the items you wipe are visibly wet for 30 second to sanitize and 4 minutes to disinfect.

2. Keep your distance from infected surfaces and coworkers, especially within the first three days of infection--when a person is most contagious. Stay away from contaminated surfaces to prevent colds, such as copy machine and elevator buttons, door knobs and stair banisters. If you’re a temp or seasonal employee, bring your own supplies to work--pens, clip boards and reading material.

3. Clean your hands with soap and warm water to remove germs that cause colds. Be sure to rub for 25 seconds, then rinse when you go to the bathroom, prepare or consume food, change diapers or clean after children, tend to the sick or handle refuse. If driers are not available, tuck paper towel under your arm prior to turning off the faucet to prevent contamination (see Tips below).

4. Stay hydrated at work. Tote fresh water in a covered container to avoid contact with water fountains. Spray nostrils with a saline nasal spray every 3 to 4 hours. Nasal spray helps to keep mucous membranes moist and stave off germs. Tilt your head forward and aim the nozzle toward the back of your head.

5. Go to the CDC website (see Resources below) for downloadable posters that you can print and post at work. Raise awareness about the many ways it is possible to prevent colds at work with printables, such as “Cover Your Cough,” “Is it a cold or the flu?” and “Ounce of Prevention.”

Tips & Warnings

• If you are ill, stay home to prevent others from catching colds. Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth. Rest to avoid work-related stress that can weaken immunity.

• Always use a tissue to block a cough or sneeze and discard after use. If not, use a sleeve rather than your hand in order to prevent the spread of mucous filled droplets.

• Do not use antibiotics to prevent colds, especially those prescribed for other illnesses. Colds are not caused by bacteria, so antibiotics are not effective.

• Echinacea, Vitamin C, Honey and Zinc do not work to prevent colds, but are believed to relieve symptoms.

Resources

• CDC Tips to Prevent Colds and Flu
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• Common Cold
• American Academy of Family Physicians