Preparing for Flu Season: Key Steps to Protect Your Workplace
As the chill of fall and winter approaches, so does the heightened risk of influenza—a highly contagious respiratory illness that infects millions each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 8% of the U.S. population contracts influenza—also known as the flu—annually, leading to widespread outbreaks. The flu is characterized by fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, and muscle aches, and outbreaks occur more robustly in the colder weather months.
The flu is spread by tiny droplets formed when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. It is also possible to contract the flu by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and transferring it by touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. People infected with the virus are most contagious during the first three days of the illness.
While the virus can be dangerous for everyone, its impact is most severe among older adults and working-age individuals. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), influenza has a mortality rate of 0.1-6.4 per 100,000 people below the age of 65 and mortality estimates of 2.9-44 per 100,000 people aged 65-74 and 17.9-223.5 per 100,000 people 75 years of age or older.
But with proper precautions—like vaccinations, good hygiene, and flexible work policies—we can significantly reduce the spread and protect our communities. Here's how workplaces can stay ahead of the curve and ensure a healthier flu season for everyone.
1. Encourage vaccination. Many offices provide on-site flu shots free to employees, but those that don’t should encourage their staff to receive the influenza vaccine. Your health provider, pharmacies, and health centers often offer flu vaccines at no or low cost.
The CDC estimates that in 2023, roughly 6 million flu illnesses, 65,000 hospitalizations, and 3,700 deaths were prevented by those who received the flu vaccine. Additionally, during seasons when flu vaccine viruses are similar to circulating flu viruses, the flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of having to go to the doctor with flu by 40-60%.
2. Healthy habits. Getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, managing stress, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating nutritious foods are effective ways to create a strong immune system that can help prevent contracting of the flu.
3. Hygiene practices. Proper cough and sneeze etiquette (i.e., coughing and sneezing into elbows) should be communicated regularly to staff. Hand sanitizer stations and “no touch” wastebaskets should be placed throughout the building, and high-touch areas like doorknobs, keyboards, and shared equipment should be cleaned regularly with disinfectants. Hands should be washed with soap and water frequently and always before preparing or eating food, before touching eyes, nose, or mouth, before and after changing bandages, after using the restroom, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
4. Stay home. Workplaces should advise all employees to stay home for at least 24 hours or until their symptoms improve and fever is gone. If an employee becomes sick at work, they should separate themselves and go home.
5. Hybrid workplace. If possible, flexible leave policies and alternate work schedules can help prevent the spread of the flu in the workplace. Limiting workers’ contact while continuing to work helps maintain continuity of operations while helping people manage their health and family’s needs.
Taking proactive steps is key to keeping both individuals and workplaces healthy. Encouraging vaccination, promoting good hygiene, and offering flexible work policies can go a long way in minimizing the spread of influenza. With a collective commitment to these simple yet effective practices, we can all play a part in reducing the impact of the flu and ensuring a safer, healthier season for everyone.
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