germs

If you tend to be a little cautious (perhaps even paranoid) about germs, you probably already worry about the cleanliness of things in your office, like telephones and keyboards. But a recent study found that things you may encounter before and after work may be the germiest of all.

In the workplace, sharing some things – say, ideas and resources—is a good thing. But our coworkers may also be sharing a few things we'd rather not have, like a cold or the flu. Unfortunately, the nature of many office workplaces make an ideal place for germs to spread. There are usually lots of workspaces packed into a relatively crowded area, and with stale air that continuously re-circulates.

Short of sitting at your desk in a Hazmat suit, how can you protect yourself?