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Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Battle of the bugs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I have a little tickle in my throat. Nothing to call in sick about — at least not yet. But I fear it’s just a matter of time before I join the chorus of coughers, sneezers, snorters and wheezers who insist that they cannot afford to miss a day of work.
Maybe they’re right. Maybe their absence would throw the company hopelessly off-track. Who am I to judge?
Lord knows I’ve come to work with colds, or worse, and received dirty looks from co-workers practically begging me to pack up my tissues and go home. But it can be a tough call to make, especially if you have no idea if you’re likely to get better or worse. This week, we tackle remedies for treating colds. But it’s clear that their effectiveness is mixed at best. There are, however, a few things you can do to keep your germs from spreading.
One is to work on your coughing and sneezing technique. If you don’t have time to reach for a tissue, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that, instead of covering your mouth with your hand, you turn your head into your upper sleeve. (If this is not self-explanatory, there is a video demonstration at www.coughsafe.com/media.html).
Also: Don’t forget to put used tissues in the waste basket, keep your hands clean and sanitize your keyboard, phone and desk frequently. And you can never go wrong with the standard old advice about plenty of rest and liquids.
On that note, I’m going to head home now. I hear a can of chicken noodle soup calling my name. Before I go, I’d love to read your tips for keeping those germs from spreading.
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