When flu season approaches every year, the Centers for Disease Control try to help Americans learn how to protect themselves and their families. They offer information about vaccinations, how vaccines work and facts about the flu virus. The CDC hopes to help people prevent the spread of influenza in the workplace. Flu season runs concurrently with cold season, typically beginning in November and lasting through April.

Flu and cold viruses often spread from one surface to another with the help of human hands in the workplace. Experts at the CDC say that people are more contagious during the first two to three days after contracting a cold, but they are contagious immediately after contracting the flu virus. With the flu virus, people continue being contagious for about five days after initial infection. This means that people are infectious even before they develop symptoms, which is a major reason why the flu is spread so easily.

Research shows that between five and 20 percent of Americans have the flu annually, and the virus costs a cumulative amount every year of more than $10 billion in medical expenses. It also costs more than $16 billion in lost wages. Of the amount of people hospitalized from the flu, about 60 percent were between the ages of 18 and 64. This is the typical age range for working Americans, so experts urge all people who work with others to take the proper precautions. The following tips will help prevent the spread of flu in the workplace:

• Employers should encourage their workers to be vaccinated every year, or they should host vaccination clinics at the workplace or at a designated pharmacy.

• Employers should pass out literature about vaccines that shows the benefits of being vaccinated.

• If possible, offer discounted flu vaccines for workers’ family members as well as workers themselves.

• When flu symptoms develop, stay home from work to avoid the possibility of infecting other workers.

• Avoid being around people who have been infected with the flu and are having symptoms of it.

• When sneezing, always cover the nose and mouth. Wash hands thoroughly after sneezing.

• Wash hands before eating or touching the face and nose. Flu germs are often spread when people touch infected surfaces and then rub their noses or try to eat.

• When washing hands, turn off the faucet with a paper towel. Use that towel to open the door with as well.

• Make sure doorknobs, counter tops and all other common area surfaces are properly sanitized at least once daily during flu season.

In addition to these practices, employers should encourage their workers to drink plenty of fluids but avoid sharing cups or straws. They should also encourage employees to get plenty of fresh air, eat healthy foods and exercise adequately. All of these tips should be provided in written form to workers to help them remember how to stay safe during flu season.