Preparing for Respiratory Virus Season: A Workplace Survival Guide

Lawrence Buirse

As October rolls in, a chilling presence looms over workplaces everywhere. The month of October typically marks the start of the dreaded respiratory virus season. Imagine the horror of a bustling office suddenly silenced by the relentless spread of flu or a busy warehouse once filled with the hum of productivity now scarce in number due to a COVID-19 outbreak. The air — thick with an unseen threat — can send shivers down the spine of a shift supervisor. In this eerie atmosphere, the importance of preparedness becomes starkly clear. The nightmare of an outbreak threatens to disrupt not just work, but the very health and well-being of the entire workforce.

Four common respiratory viruses

Employers should be aware of signs, symptoms, and transmission methods of common respiratory viruses to effectively protect their workforce. Some common respiratory viruses include the following:

  • Rhinovirus: This virus is the predominant cause of most common colds.1 Symptoms can include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, sneezing, and congestion. While generally mild, colds can still impact productivity and spread easily in close-contact environments.
  • Influenza: Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that affect the nose, throat, and lungs.2 Symptoms are more severe than the common cold and can include fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, and fatigue. An infected person can potentially spread the virus through droplets formed by sneezing, coughing, or even talking.2 Flu can lead to serious complications, especially in individuals with chronic conditions such as asthma or heart disease.2
  • COVID-19: Caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, COVID-19 has significantly impacted global health.3 While the infection rate is no longer at the pandemic level, emerging variants continue to cause illness. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can mimic what one experiences with a common cold or flu.4 Some common COVID symptoms are fever, cough, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell. COVID-19 can lead to severe illness and long-term health issues, especially for individuals with a weakened immune system or underlying health conditions (e.g., lung disease, cancer).
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common virus that causes respiratory infections, particularly in young children and older adults. RSV symptoms can include runny nose, coughing, sneezing, and wheezing.5 RSV can lead to severe respiratory illness, especially in infants and the elderly; however, anyone can become infected.

These common respiratory viruses can sometimes share similar symptoms, which can be deceiving. But each virus can pose a unique set of challenges, with complications ranging from mild but disruptive to severe or even life-threatening.6 Understanding these nuances is crucial for devising effective preventive health strategies and ensuring a resilient, healthy workforce.

How to prevent the spread at work

By implementing preventive measures, employers can significantly reduce the likelihood of a respiratory virus outbreak at work. To assist, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidelines to help organizations prepare for the respiratory virus season. Here are some notable recommendations:

Vaccinations

  • Flu Vaccine: The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone age six months and older. Vaccination is particularly important for high-risk groups, including pregnant women, young children, older adults, and individuals with chronic health conditions.7
  • COVID-19 Vaccine: Protection provided by the COVID-19 vaccine will diminish with time, which is why the CDC recommends staying current on vaccinations; this includes COVID-19 booster shots. The CDC provides periodically updated guidance on who should receive boosters based on age and health status.7
  • RSV Vaccine: The CDC recommends adults ages 75 and older receive the RSV vaccine. Adults ages 60 to 74 with chronic medical conditions are also recommended to receive the RSV vaccine.8

Good Hygiene Practices

  • Hand Hygiene: Regular handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is essential. If soap and water are unavailable, use hand sanitizer with at least 60-percent alcohol.9
  • Respiratory Etiquette: Encourage employees to cover their mouths and noses with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of tissues properly and wash hands immediately.9

Support for Sick Employees

  • Employees should be encouraged to stay home if they exhibit symptoms of a respiratory virus. They can spread germs, causing other employees to become ill. This increases the likelihood that other employees will become infected and miss work, potentially causing productivity to drop. The CDC recommends that employees stay home until at least 24 hours after symptoms improve and any fever subsides without the use of fever-reducing medications.9

Workplace Modifications

  • Ventilation: Improve building ventilation to reduce the concentration of airborne viruses. Consider using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and increasing outdoor air exchange.9
  • Cleaning and Disinfection: Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, and shared equipment.9

Occupational health services

Occupational health service providers can play a vital role in helping organizations mitigate respiratory virus outbreaks. Some occupational health services and strategies that can be implemented include:

  • Health Screenings: Conduct regular health screenings to identify symptomatic employees early. This can include temperature checks and symptom questionnaires.
  • Workforce Vaccinations: Organize on-site vaccination stations to make it convenient for employees to receive flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines. Consider partnering with local health departments or occupational health providers to facilitate workforce vaccinations at your worksite.
  • Employee Education: Provide education and training on respiratory virus prevention, including general information on respiratory viruses, proper hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and vaccinations.
  • Personal Protective Equipment: Ensure that employees have access to the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as tight-fitting respirators, face masks, and gloves. This is especially important in high-risk settings. Provide proper training on the correct use and disposal, or even fitting, based on the employee’s role.

Workforce benefits

The implications of a respiratory virus outbreak in the workplace can be far-reaching. Implementing occupational health measures to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses in the workplace can offer numerous benefits for both employers and their workforces:

  • Health and Safety: With the primary concern being the health and safety of employees, applying preventive health measures can help lower the chance of workplace outbreaks. This can be especially critical to employees with chronic health conditions, which can place them at higher risk of severe illness from a respiratory virus such as flu or COVID-19.
  • Productivity: Widespread illnesses in the workplace can lead to increased absenteeism and potentially reduce overall productivity. Healthy employees are more likely to perform better and contribute effectively to the company’s goals.
  • Cost Savings: Preventing outbreaks can save on health care costs, reduce the need for sick leave, and minimize disruptions to business operations.
  • Workplace Morale: A safe and healthy work environment can help boost employee morale and job satisfaction.
  • Legal and Ethical Responsibility: Employers have a legal and ethical obligation to provide a safe workplace. Proactively addressing health risks demonstrates a commitment to employee well-being and occupational health and safety regulatory compliance.
  • Community Impact: Reducing the spread of respiratory viruses in the workplace helps protect the broader community. Employees who stay healthy are less likely to transmit viruses to family members, friends, and others in the community.

Protect your workplace from respiratory virus outbreaks

Leveraging occupational health interventions can be essential to creating a respiratory virus-free work environment. Concentra® offers occupational health expertise in workforce vaccinations and other preventive health services. Concentra medical centers and onsite clinics have access to a wide range of vaccines, and vaccination services can be arranged at a company’s worksite for greater convenience and access. Concentra clinical staff facilitates vaccination services based on CDC best practices and guidelines. Click here for more information about Concentra workforce vaccination services. 


Sources:

  1. About rhinoviruses. (2024, April 24). Rhinoviruses. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  2. About flu. (2023, May 2). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  3. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). (n.d.). COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  4. Similarities and Differences between Flu and COVID-19. (2024, March 20). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  5. About RSV. (2024, June 5). Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  6. About respiratory illnesses. (2024, July 19). Respiratory Illnesses. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  7. CDC Newsroom. (2016, January 1). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  8. CDC Newsroom. (2016b, January 1). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  9. Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick. (2024, March 1). Respiratory Illnesses. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.