How to Avoid Germs at the Office
The Grossest, Germiest Parts of Your Office — and How to Avoid Getting Sick
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Dr. Sussex-Pizula noted that while these are germ-riddled areas, "Transmission from surfaces is the least common form of spreading influenza." Phew! Keep in mind, research has shown that 60 percent of surface germs are on items belonging to the infected person — "their desk, computer, and office equipment," said Dr. Sussex-Pizula.
"The other 40 percent of the time, infections are spread via surfaces not directly belonging to the infected person," she said. She mentioned this includes the aforementioned desktops, mice, and water dispenser buttons — so yeah, avoid the water cooler if you can for now. "The most commonly infected surfaces were chairs (58 percent of touch transmissions) and desks (13 percent of touch transmissions)."
"The influenza virus can stay alive on some surfaces for a number of hours," said Dr. Lansen. "It can't live forever on these surfaces, but it can generally survive for the length of an average workday."