Although many germs will have little effect on your workforce, there are some nasty strains which can cause sickness and infections, resulting in preventable employee absenteeism. Read on to find out more about common germs that can be found in offices and the dangers they pose.

Most common office germs:

MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus)

MRSA is a type of bacteria which is resistant to many types of antibiotic. The bacteria can live on your skin harmlessly, only developing into infections if it gets deeper into your body, often through wounds. It can be transmitted through touching infected skin or contaminated items and surfaces. Symptoms include: skin bumps, abscesses or boils, redness, swelling, pus, aches and pains, high temperature.

C. diff (clostridium difficile)

C. diff is a kind of bacteria which infects the bowel. Often, C. diff can follow a course of antibiotics but can easily be spread from contact with contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include: diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea and dehydration.

Norovirus (stomach flu)

Norovirus is a very common stomach bug. There isn’t a cure for norovirus but symptoms should clear up in 2-3 days. It is highly infectious so you should stay home from work or school if contracted. Drink plenty of fluids, get plenty rest and take paracetamol to manage any pain. The main symptoms of norovirus are vomiting and diarrhoea, with some people also experiencing aching limbs, stomach cramps and a slight fever.

E. coli (escherichia coli)

E. coli is a contagious bacteria strain which can cause infection. It can be caught from products contaminated with faecal matter, as well as contaminated undercooked meat, raw dairy products and poorly treated water. The main symptom is severe diarrhoea, but vomiting and stomach cramps may also occur. Symptoms can last up to 2 weeks and can have more serious consequences for children and the elderly.

Salmonella

Salmonella bacteria is a cause of food poisoning. The bacteria can be found in farm animals therefore raw meat, poultry, eggs and milk can all be contaminated. Unwashed vegetables and fruit can sometimes become contaminated too. Pets, particularly reptiles, can also carry salmonella. Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps and sometimes a fever.

Flu (influenza)

Flu is a contagious virus which causes a variety of symptoms, primarily those involving the respiratory system. Flu is spread by contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces but can be prevented by the flu vaccine. Flu symptoms include: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, headaches, and more.

H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori)

H. pylori is a common form of bacteria which can be transmitted through contact with unsanitary surfaces and water. Symptoms can take a long time to develop but can include indigestion, gastritis and stomach ulcers.

Number of deaths mentioning the above germs:

• MRSA: 292
• C.diff: 1487
• Staphylococcus aureus (non-MRSA): 265

How to prevent germs from spreading

The spread of most germs can be prevented by these simple hygiene practices:

• Washing your hands thoroughly and regularly
• Practicing good food hygiene
• Sanitise surfaces regularly

Ensure your office is clean – get in touch with JMS Cleaning Services today to get a quote for cleaning your office.

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It’s easy for illness and germs to spread quickly around an office environment with many people, so keeping on top of the office cleaning through a professional commercial cleaning service is important to ensure a healthy and tidy working environment. We’ve listed just a few of the many benefits of having a tidy office space below!

Prevents Illness Spreading

Studies have shown that bacteria can spread rapidly around offices, with the majority of germs found in communal areas such as kitchens, on door handles and on light switches. If this is not monitored then illness can quickly spread around everyone using the premises, which can only be bad for business! A frequently cleaned office keeps bacteria at bay.

Less Stress

Messy desks can lead to you not being able to find the right notes, and feeling terribly unorganised! A clean space will allow you to relax knowing that everything is in it’s rightful place and easily accessible should you need it.

Increased efficiency

Office cleaning provides staff with a tidy workplace that in turn, maximises productivity. It has been proven that a clean working environment enables workers to focus on their daily tasks more efficiently and without distraction. Messy desks, on the other hand, can hinder people from working and lead to increased procrastination instead.

Better professional reputation

A clean and tidy office can make a huge impression on visitors and clients as soon as they’ve stepped through the door. Investing in a professional cleaning services ensures your business’ reputation stays as sparkling as the kitchen floor.

Less Safety Risks

Not only can an untidy office potentially spread germs and illness, but it could also present the risk of safety, too. Loose carpet tiles, dangerously stacked paperwork and messy kitchens can all pose a risk to staff, these should be regularly looked after and monitored to ensure everything is functioning safely.

Here at JMS Cleaning, we offer bespoke cleaning services to suit each client’s individual needs. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and we’ll be happy to help.

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Illnesses such as colds are spread either through the air when someone sneezes or coughs, or they are passed on from surfaces through touch. As much as the ideal solution would be for people displaying cold-like symptoms to stay away from the office, in reality this is not going to happen. People feel the pressure of work, and are reluctant to take time off. In any case, people are usually contagious with the cold virus a couple of days before the symptoms display, so it may well be a moot point anyway.

The easiest way to prevent illness spreading is by using tissues when sneezing or coughing, and by regular hand washing. Whether with soap and water, or by keeping hand sanitiser by the desk, regular hand washing is seen as the key by many. Try to avoid touching the face, since your hands may have already touched an infected surface. When washing your hands, do so thoroughly, preferably for at least twenty seconds. Wash them in particular before and after eating, after visiting the rest-room, and after coughing , sneezing or blowing your nose.

Therefore keeping office surfaces clean is a very simple way of reducing the potential for colds to spread. Having cleaners that clean the office on a regular basis will help keep surfaces clear of infection that employees may otherwise come into contact with. A flu virus can remain on a surface for up to eight hours, while a cold virus can remain for three hours. Therefore keeping all surfaces such as desks, copiers, doorknobs, and keyboards clean is essential, and probably best done as part of a routine clean.

Of course there are many things that we can all do to help ourselves reduce the chance of becoming ill. Anything that helps bolster the immune system has to be a big plus. This includes diet – proper nutritious meals with plenty of leafy green vegetables. Exercise also helps boost the immune system, as does a good nights sleep.

It can be immensely frustrating and annoying when seeing fellow employees not following basic hygiene etiquette, such as holding their hand over the mouth when coughing. Yet even so there are still quite a few ways people can help minimise the chances of becoming ill themselves. Regular surface cleaning in the office, with regular hand washing, is a good basis to work from.

The best way to ensure that your office is free from germs is to have regular commercial office cleaning from experienced professionals. The team at JMS Cleaning Services are the leading providers of commercial office cleaning across the North West of England. Get in touch today to find out more.

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