Infections can spread from an office door handle to half the workforce in just two hours, new research has found.

Using tracer viruses, a study found as much as 60 per cent of workers in the building carried the bug planted after 120 minutes.

Disinfectant wipes and regularly washing your hands are the best way to prevent the bug spreading further, experts said.

Pushing buttons in lifts and touching phones and surfaces was the fastest way to spread the bug (posed by models)

For the study, presented at an infectious disease meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, researchers planted a harmless bug with similar properties to Norovirus on a door knob at the beginning of a working day.

Every two hours, they sampled 60 to 100 fomites - surfaces capable of carrying infectious organisms - such as light switches, push buttons, coffee pots, sink taps and computers.

HOW TO CATCH AND PREVENT NOROVIRUS Every year an estimated 600,000 to 1million people catch norovirus in the UK and is more common in winter months. According to NHS Choices, if infected do not go and see your GP to avoid risk of contaminating their practice. Instead anyone suffering should stay at home and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Symptoms include a high temperature, headaches, tiredness, dark urine and vomiting. Frequently washing your hands is the best way to prevent catching the virus. Advertisement

Within two to four hours, 40 to 60 per cent were contaminated with the virus.

'The results shown that viral contamination of fomites in facilities occurs quickly, and that a simple intervention can greatly help to reduce exposure to viruses,' said Dr Charles Gerba, presenting the research.

The best way to get rid of the bug was with anti-bacterial wipes, he added.

'Using disinfecting wipes containing quaternary ammonium compounds (QUATS) registered by the Environmental Protection Agency as effective against viruses - like norovirus and flu - along with hand hygiene, reduced virus spread by 8O to 99 percent.'

Previous research by Dr Gerba found touching various objects was the fastest way to spread a bug.

With bugs spreading so easily its best to stay away from work and at home when you are unwell, said Dr Gerba

In 2010 a study found more than 50 per cent of an office was infected with some sort of virus after touching buttons in a lift, keyboards and telephone sets.

'Most people think it's coughing and sneezing that spreads germs, but the number of objects you touch is incredible, especially in this push-button generation.