By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
If germs had a calendar, 'Cold and Flu Season' would be their favorite time of year. And just like clockwork, cold and flu season – the time of year when respiratory illnesses like colds and influenza (flu) tend to spike – is back. In the United States, this typically occurs during the fall and winter months, roughly from late fall (October) through early spring (April).
What germs are present this cold and flu season? Currently, multiple respiratory viruses are circulating as we head into the 2024-2025 cold and flu season. The most common viruses are:
- COVID-19 subvariants, such as KP.2 and KP.3 (part of the "FLiRT" family)
- Influenza (Flu)
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Are some facilities more at risk of an outbreak?
Yes. Certain facilities – especially those where many people gather in close proximity – are at a higher risk for respiratory virus outbreaks, especially during cold and flu season. These include:
- Healthcare Settings (including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and nursing homes)
- Schools and Childcare Centers
- Workplaces and Office Buildings (especially those with shared workspaces and communal areas like cafeterias)
- Correctional Facilities
- Dormitories and Group Living Situations
- Public Transportation (including airports, train stations, and public transport systems)
What can be done to help prevent an outbreak?
Facilities can take a variety of proactive steps to be prepared for the upcoming cold and flu season. Here are five steps to help “stop the spread”:
Step 1 - Review Your Hygiene Supply Inventory and Stock Up on What’s Needed. Ensure your facility is stocked with ample supplies of disposable tissues/paper products, hand hygiene products, and surface cleaners and disinfectants. Review your inventory to make sure surface disinfectants are EPA-approved, in-date (not expired) and effective against common germs like coronavirus (COVID) and the influenza A (flu) virus.
Step 2 - Promote Hand Hygiene. Provide easy access to handwashing stations with soap and water. Post signs to remind staff and visitors to wash their hands often and use proper techniques.
Step 3 – Focus on High-Touch Surfaces. Surfaces touched by more hands are more likely to be contaminated with germs. Regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, hand rails, elevator buttons, and shared equipment. Increase the frequency of cleaning in common areas like restrooms, break rooms, cafeterias, and lobbies. Follow label instructions to ensure products are being used correctly to kill germs.
Step 4 – Ensure Proper Product Placement. Hygiene products should be placed conveniently to promote their use by more than just maintenance staff. Ensure disinfectant sprays or wipes are available so staff can help to keep their workspaces and shared spaces clean between professional cleanings. Choose low-toxicity products (EPA Category IV), which will not require protective equipment and will not have precautionary statements.
Step 5 – Educate & Inform Staff. Emphasize and reinforce the importance of hygiene and what actions facility users can take to help prevent the spread of germs, including staying home if they are sick and scheduling appropriate vaccinations. This year’s recommended vaccinations can be found here: CDC Recommends Updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines for Fall/Winter Virus Season | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC.