The office can be a breeding ground for bacteria if it's not kept clean.
A fascinating study from the University of Arizona, highlighted in The Wall Street Journal, traced the path of a single virus (which doesn't infect people) throughout an office building.
Sumathi Reddy writes in the Journal:
"Within two hours, the virus had contaminated the break room—coffee pot, microwave button, fridge door handle—and then spread to restrooms, individual offices and cubicles. There, researchers found, the virus had heavily contaminated phones, desks and computers.
"By four hours, they found the virus on more than 50% of the commonly touched surfaces and on hands of about half of the employees in the office."
Experts disagree on whether hand sanitizers are helpful — or whether they're counterproductive because they kill good bacteria, too. Another way to prevent the spread of germs? Stop shaking people's hands.