Flu Season is Here. Tips to Stay Healthy.

by | Feb 8, 2018 | Office Health, Office Safety

It’s that time of year for the sniffles, absences from work, and rumors of “the flu”.
In fact, rumors of the flu are true. According to the C.D.C.’s Flu View index, the 2017-2018 flu season will rival that of 2014-2015 when the H3N2 strain of the virus was particularly nasty. To date, reports of the flu are up 500% across the country.

Short of hiding in a sterilized bubble, what is a person to do?

  • Get a Flu Shot
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends a flu shot for nearly everyone. Children 6 months and older through adults should get the shot. Particularly anyone in the high-risk category (children less than 5, adults over 65, anyone living in a long-term care facility, and those with a chronic illness) should be vaccinated. It’s advised to get the shot before the end of October, but it is not too late! You may want to consider getting one even though it’s the end of January.
  • Avoid Those Who Are Sick
It should go without saying that you need to be cautious during cold and flu season. Don’t share a drink with someone sneezing. We realize that part is common sense, but it’s also important to avoid the gentleman at Starbucks who keeps sneezing or the cute 2-year-old at the grocery store with the runny nose.
If you’ve been out and about, remember to wash your hands before sitting down for a meal at McDonald’s. Germs are literally everywhere.
  • Go See Your Doctor
If you do get sick, don’t wait to see your doctor. Your physician does have treatments that can help lessen the severity of the flu, shorten the time you are sick, and they can help prevent serious flu complications. It is best to start antiviral drugs within 2 days of feeling sick.

Additionally, you may want to take extra precautions around the office to clean up those germs.
Our suggested list of items to keep on hand include:
Purell – Hand sanitizer might become your new best friend. Available in a few sizes and forms, Purell comes in an 8-ounce travel size, a 67.6-ounce economy pump, and in a sanitizing wipe. Purell Hand Sanitizer kill 99.99% of the most common germs. It’s handy, effective, and it smells good. You really can’t go wrong.

Products That May Help

Lysol – This time-tested household name is synonymous with disinfectant. Did you know Lysol comes in more than the old-fashioned liquid form? It does! The handy anti-bacterial Lysol wipes and Lysol Linen disinfectant give you simple ways to clean up desktops and cloth chairs. Lysol spray is still on the market and it’s a great way to clean the space around you.

Purchase 110 Lysol Anti-bacterial wipes or professional Lysol Linen disinfectant spray. These products are great for killing 99.9% of germs on site. They clean, disinfect, and deodorizes. When using Lysol think of all the germs, you will prevent from spreading.

Clorox – If you’re a loyal Clorox fax, you’ll be happy to know your favorite brand also comes in multiple forms. In addition to good old liquid bleach in the big white jug, Clorox also has disinfecting wipes. If you’re planning to clean using the liquid form, remember to dilute it a bit for better results. If you’re wondering how effective Clorox products are, their germ-killing efficacy rate is 99.99%.

GJO Soap and Sanitizing Products – A lessor known brand name that packs an equal amount of germ killing power is Genuine Joe. Their 8.5 oz, clear, moisturizing gel it a great fit for a desk draw or hand bag. This product is proven to kill 99.9% of the most common germs on your hands in 15 seconds and you don’t need water.

Make sure you have plenty of Genuine Joe foam hand soap in refillable bottles for the restroom. This bio-based product smells good and it moisturizes as it kills germs.

Stop the Coughing and Runny Nose! Be considerate of your neighbors and yourself. Stop that lingering cough with a variety of cough drops. Cadbury Schweppes and Ricola cough drops are fast-acting cough drops that help relieve discomfort.

The products noted above can be found on the Great River Office Products website. We deliver to your door so there’s no need to brave the cold to find products that will make you feel better!