Every year, the influenza virus has a significant impact on businesses in Australia, leading to costs exceeding millions of dollars due to employee illness and absenteeism. On average, flu season affects about 10-20% of the population annually. Ensuring employee health and wellbeing during flu season is of utmost importance for maintaining productivity in the workplace.
Influenza, typically referred to as “the flu” is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, it spreads through respiratory droplets. The contagiousness of influenza makes workplaces vulnerable during peak flu season – Autumn and Winter – due to the close proximity of employees in an office environment.
In order to prevent the spread of influenza during the flu season, it is crucial for employees to take proactive measures. Here are some helpful tips and strategies for maintaining good health and avoiding illness in the workplace during flu season.
1. Practice Good Hand Hygiene
Maintaining good hand hygiene is a simple yet effective way to prevent the spread of flu and other infectious diseases. It involves washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing, using the restroom, or touching common surfaces.
If soap and water are not available, using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser or wipes with at least 60% alcohol content is a suitable alternative. Placing hand sanitiser stations throughout your workplace can significantly help, especially when employees don‘t have easy access to sinks and soap while they work.
2. Keep your Workstation Clean
Maintaining a clean workstation can be important, as a messy workspace can harbour germs and viruses. Regularly disinfect your desk, keyboard, mouse, phone, and other frequently touched surfaces to minimise the risk of contamination.
Use disinfectant wipes or sprays to sanitise office equipment, especially while working in hybrid arrangement or sharing your workspace with others.
3. Stay Hydrated
Staying well-hydrated is vital for your overall health and can greatly support your immune system against viruses. Ensure you keep a reusable water bottle and drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day while limiting sugary beverages and excessive caffeine intake.
4. Limit Contact with Contaminated Surfaces
Germs and viruses are more commonly found on desktops, doorknobs, and frequently touched surfaces than on tubs and toilet seats. While the influenza mainly spreads through respiratory droplets, these droplets can land on surfaces, putting others at risk if they touch a contaminated surface and then touch their mouth or eyes.
Flu viruses can survive on surfaces for an extended period, emphasising the need to reduce contact with commonly touched areas such as handrails, elevator buttons, and shared kitchen utensils. Using disposable gloves or tissues as a barrier when handling these items can help avoid touching common surfaces. Usine hand sanitiser or disinfectant wipes after touching common surfaces.
5. Cover Coughs and Sneezes
According to BBC Focus Magazine, a single sneeze can propel infectious droplets up to 8 meters at a speed exceeding 160 km/h. If you cough or sneeze, use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose. If a tissue is not accessible, use the inside of your elbow as a shield instead of your hands.
Dispose of used tissues properly and promptly wash your hands afterward to avoid spreading germs.
6. Reduce Stress
Long-term or chronic stress can compromise your immune system, making you more vulnerable to infections like the flu. It’s important to adopt healthy stress management techniques, such as incorporating mindfulness practices, deep breathing exercises, meditation, or pursuing enjoyable hobbies to cope with stress or burnout.
7. Get Vaccinated for Flu Season
Getting a flu vaccine is the best and most highly recommended method of safeguarding yourself and others from the flu. The vaccine prompts your body to create antibodies against the specific influenza strains are expected to be most common during a flu season. Vaccination lowers the chances of infection and lessens the severity of symptoms if you do get the flu.
Flu vaccination is particular significant for individuals with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems. Many employers offer flu shot opportunities for employees, so make sure to take advantage of these free programs.
