Grab the tissues and antibacterial wipes because according to the Center for Disease Control, flu season is now ramping up and widespread in 11 states.
Also, a new CareerBuilder survey finds that nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of workers typically go to work when they are sick. Other survey results said:
• About half said they go to the work while ill because they feel guilty calling in sick
• 53 percent said they have gotten sick from a co-worker who came to the office sick
• 12 percent said they picked up a bug from someone who was sick on public transportation going to or from work
With many workers heading to work ill, they are likely passing their germs on to others.
Even though we know better, we’ve all been “that guy” who passes germs on to others. In fact, a recent national poll revealed almost seven out of 10 Americans (68 percent) did not realize that flu viruses can travel five to six feet from a sneeze or a cough. Other poll results indicated:
• Two-thirds (66 percent) admitted to going about their daily activities despite experiencing flu symptoms.
• 66 percent of polled Americans disregard the sudden onset of flu symptoms – fever, aches, chills, extreme tiredness – and still attend work, school and social events
• 75 percent of those are aware of the possibility of spreading the flu virus to others.
Today, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is launching Are You That Guy?, a new national flu education campaign to encourage personal and social responsibility during flu season. It aims to remind us all how to protect ourselves and others against the flu virus, by limiting contact with others and seeing a doctor at the first sign of flu symptoms to seek treatment.
Here are some flu facts:
• Influenza is a respiratory illness.
• The virus is primarily spread by droplets created when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.
• The influenza virus can spread to others up to six feet away.
• Someone can get flu by touching a surface or object that has influenza virus on it and then touching their own mouth or nose.
• Influenza viruses can live for two hours or more on some surfaces.
• Flu symptoms start one to four days after the influenza virus enters the body. It may be possible to pass on the flu to someone else before you even know you are sick.
• Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and for five to seven days after becoming sick.
• Children may pass on the virus for longer than seven days.
• Some persons can be infected with the influenza virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons may still spread the virus to others.
CDC urges everyone to “Take 3” to protect themselves and others from the flu.
1. Take time to get a flu vaccine. The CDC recommends everyone six months of age and older should get vaccinated every year. Vaccination is the best way to avoid getting the flu.
2. Take preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
• Frequently wash your hands with soap and water
• Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth
3. Take flu medicines if your doctor prescribes them.
Call a doctor quickly as soon as flu symptoms appear. Prescription antiviral medicines can help stop the influenza virus from spreading and shorten the time that you are sick.
Also, prescription flu medicines can help control flu outbreaks. Those in close contact with flu sufferers can take antiviral medicines to reduce their chances of catching the virus.
You can view the Are You That Guy? Public Service Announcement (PSA) at www.NFID.org. You can also read more about the campaign at the site.
Also, visit www.FluFacts.com to track flu outbreaks by zip code and receive alerts about flu in your community or download a free Fight the Flu app.
Sources:
http://lifeinc.todayshow.com/_news/2011/01/24/5894196-survey-most-people-go-to-work-when-sick
http://www.careerbuilder.com/share/aboutus/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=pr616&sd=1%2f19%2f2011&ed=1%2f19%2f2099&siteid=cbpr&sc_cmp1=cb_pr616_