With summer winding down, unfortunately it is time to begin thinking about flu season. Each year, influenza affects between 5% and 20% of the population and between 3000 and 49,000 people die from the disease. The flu is spread by having contact with an infected person or through the air when you are in close proximity to them. 
One of the places where you are at the greatest risk for infection is at the office. When you are at the office, you are in a confined area for an extended period and have close contact with many people. If one person is sick, they can quickly spread it to the rest of the office. To avoid the office flu, you should take the following precautions:
1. Get A Flu Shot
A flu shot is a great way to help and protect against the most common yearly strains of the flu. Each year, the vaccine is made to protect against the most common strains of flu for that year and this is why you must get a shot each fall. While the flu shot is very effective, it does not always protect you completely.
2. Wash your hands often
Washing your hands after using the restroom is a given, but making sure to wash before each meal and if you have come into contact with someone who might be sick will help to quickly remove any germs that you might have picked up. Increased hand washing has been proven to keep you healthier all year around.
3. Avoid infected areas
If you know that someone is sick or that there is even a possibility that they might be, keeping your distance from them as well as their stuff is a good way to avoid getting sick. Do not share drinks or food and try to avoid touching their personal items such as their cell phone which will have germs on it.
4. Sanitize personal items
You can also avoid some sickness by keeping your own personal items clean. By using a sanitizing wipe or alcohol wipe to clean your cell phone or other personal affects, you can keep the germs at bay.
5. Stay home if you are sick 
The most important way to prevent the spread of influenza is to stay home when you are sick. If you are coming down with influenza, do not go to the office and infect everyone else. You will not be effective in your job and you will risk getting the rest of the office sick and compromising the entire company. It is best to stay away and then return when you are healthy.
An office should keep influenza kits available in the event that there are employees who become sick at work. The Single Use Flu Protection Kits package can be kept in the office and distributed to employees if needed. The flu protection kit contains gloves, hand sanitizer, N95 masks, pocket tissues, Sani-Hands packets and Tel-a-Fever thermometers. This kit will help to foster a safer and healthier environment for all employees when flu season rolls around.
