Top tips for a healthier workplace, from Professor Ron Eccles, director of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University :

1. Germ warfare

• Wash all crockery and cutlery in hot water after use, and don't share these with colleagues
• Keep wipes on your desk to clean hands, phone, keyboard and surfaces - these can all spread germs
• Use hygienic paper towels in toilets and dry your hands properly as damp hands transmit more germs than dry hands

2. Eat yourself well

• Eat a good selection of fruit and vegetables to ensure you get plenty of vitamins - and aim to drink eight to ten glasses of water each day
• Take a daily probiotic like Yakult – they support the body's natural defences by contributing to a well balanced gut flora through an increased number of beneficial bacteria.
• Organise an office curry for lunch! Eating curry is a great way to fight off the common cold

3. Keep Fighting Fit

• Take a break and walk round the office to alleviate the fatigue of sitting at your desk for long periods
• Set up an office walking club or sports team

4. Work and Play

• Try to relax and not over-react to office problems. Stress lowers resistance to infection
• Get a good night's sleep as part of a healthy lifestyle

5. Stress

• Ensure you have good lighting at your desk
• Try to relax and not to over-react to office problems. Stress lowers resistance to infection

6. Healthy surroundings

• Turn off the air-con and which can spread germs, and open the window
• Make a 'health drawer' which can contain non-perishable snacks e.g. dried fruit, and sanitizing wipes for when colleagues have colds, and perhaps a pair of trainers for a brisk lunchtime walk
• Add plants to your workspace. This can actually improve the air quality in the office, as well as adding to your over-all  sense of well-being

7. And if you do catch a cold:

• Be prepared - always carry tissues not hankies
• Cover your sneeze properly with a disposable tissue then dispose of the tissue in the bin
• If you have no tissues, learn to sneeze into the inside of your elbow instead of your hand. That way you won't share your sneezes with others when you pass paperwork along or shake hands