xkcd2

Colds

Student: I'm having second thoughts about grad school and could use some advice. Professor: Consider the fire ant. When there's a flood, fire ants survive by joining together into giant floating rafts. Student: Student: Wait, what lesson am I supposed to take from that? Professor: Ants are SO COOL! Student: you're not big on metaphors, are you. Professor: I am big on ants.

The contagious period ends right around when you start to sound sick over the phone, which is probably evidence of cold viruses evolving to spread optimally in the workplace.