I am just getting over a real bad cold that was all respiratory the first week, and all sinus infection this past week. I don't have remote access to my work computer, so I was at the office every day hacking, sneezing, coughing, and blowing my nose - just like everyone else the previous weeks who probably got me sick. How do you prevent getting sick when everyone around you is sick?
Rest on the weekends The weekend after everyone had been sick around me at the office I was out both Friday and Saturday night until 3-4 AM in the morning. I was worn down already on Monday, and by Tuesday I started feeling the first symptoms of the Bubonic plague. In retrospect, I wish I would've stayed in doing a few lines of multi-vitamins instead of using community cups of beer in Flippy Cup and Beer Pong, and started that week with a re-charged immune system.
Really wash your hands A hand-washing that actually results in the killing of germs and bacteria on your hands should last at least 15 seconds. Use warm water, lather up with some hand soap, get the front and back of your hands and wrists, and be sure to run your fingertips across your opposite hand's palm to try and get underneath your fingernails. If you are unsure about the proper technique just watch your doctor the next time you go in for a check-up as he/she washes their hands in your check-up room.
Don't void the hand-washing You've just had a great hand-washing experience, now you just have to get back to your desk without touching anything. Air dryers are preferred as long as you use your arm/elbow sleeve to push the button that starts the flow of air. If you have paper towels, hopefully they are automatic so that you can just pull off what you need without touching a handle. Only dry your hands with one side of the paper towel to keep any remaining bacteria on that side of the towel that rubs off from your hand. Throw it away and grab one more paper towel before exiting to open the door handle without touching it. Hang onto the paper towel if you have other doors to walk through to get to your desk, and throw the paper towel in a public trash can or recycle bin on the way back to your desk. You now have far fewer germs coming with you into your workspace.
Call into meetings Instead of sitting in a conference room with other infected individuals, pretend like you just got off another call or are extremely busy and call into the meeting going on in your building. I rarely do this, but if someone in that room is coughing frequently I do not want to be in the same room. It's kind of a dick move, but people will get over it. You're doing it to stay healthy and use less sick time, so they should understand that you are just trying to protect the bottom line like any good corporate workhorse.
