Germs
This story was originally titled "Is Your Workplace Making You Sick?" in the September 2009 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!
Germs, such as bacteria and viruses, spread rapidly in places where there are a lot of people, and the office is no exception. The higher the head count, the greater your risk of getting sick. Flu and cold viruses – by far the most common office germs – are spread through coughs and sneezes, and by touching contaminated surfaces, says Dr. Roy Fox, medical director of the Nova Scotia Environmental Health Centre in Halifax. "They can survive for two or more hours on surfaces such as doorknobs or photocopiers," he says.
