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Office spaces are ripe for the spread ofinfectious diseases.
Getty / Klaus Vedfelt
prior to beginning bathing in hand sanitizer (always ill-advised), remember that germs are around you 24/7.
Only select germs are actual pathogens that can transmit infectious diseases.
Also, your immune system was made to fight pathogens.
That said, office life can present a challenge to even the most robust immune systems.
Keyboards
Think about how many things you touch in the course of the workday.
Then accept the reality that many of the germs yourhandscollect have direct access to your keyboard.
coli, which can causefood poisoning.
Granted, having bacteria on your keyboard doesnt necessarily mean youll get sick.
(Hand sanitizer withat least 60 percent alcoholis a good second option if you cant wash your hands.)
Get creative depending on the door in question.
Is it a conference room door that you could nudge open with your shoulder rather than using yourhand?
If it did, the worlds population would probably have died out ages ago.
But check that to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.
You should also be sure to get yourflu vaccineevery single year.
The refrigerator handle
The germiest office spots are usually touched by many and disinfected by few.
Otherwise, it can be like rolling out the welcome mat for germs into your body.
Again, is it a guarantee that youll get sick?
Is the very thought of it heave-worthy?
Depends on your constitution, but it certainly could be.
Folks who study microorganisms typically arent fans of sponges.
TheEnvironmental Protection Agency(EPA) outright says they dont recommend using sponges to clean things.
Sponges are tough to disinfect because their dampness and little holes create a great breeding ground for bacteria.
Thats known as a win-win-win.
(Wed hope that would be everyone in your office, but were being realistic here.)
Faucets have the added downside of often being neartoilets.
That brings up concerns about pathogens that can be transmitted through fecal particles, Dr. Roach says.
He points to norovirus, the most common culprit behindfoodborne illnessin the United States, according to theCDC.
If neither of those options is feasible, use hand sanitizer after youve touched a faucet.
Do you have a team meeting at the same table every afternoon?
Is there a coffee maker around which everyone congregates first thing in the A.M.?
Those respiratory droplets get around, Dr. Roach says.
Even if someone doesnt seem sick, they may still be spraying virus-laden droplets through the air.
Theres a good reason infectious disease experts are basically obsessed with this hygiene habit.
Keep that in mind when interacting with a sick colleague.
Its really whats best for everyone.
