When are you too sick to go to work?
Even if you think you can go to work when you have a cold or flu, you need to think about others, an infectious disease expert says.
“I see a lot of patients whose jobs and stress make them feel torn between staying home and going in when they’re sick,” said Dr. Robin Wigmore, an infectious disease specialist at a Boston hospital.
“But viral infections like the common cold and flu are contagious. It’s important to consider your co-workers’ health as well,” Wigmore added.
To make an informed decision, first consider how long you’ve been feeling ill.
“You are most contagious in the first 48 hours of a viral illness,” Wigmore explained. “This is often even before you begin feeling symptoms.”
This means you should consider staying at home to avoid spreading your illness and to allow you to rest, stay hydrated and take care of yourself.
Ask yourself if your symptoms are contagious. Viruses can be passed through the air by coughing or sneezing, and some cold and flu germs can survive on surfaces such as counter tops, doorknobs and phones for up to 24 hours.
“As a general rule, if you have a wet cough, a runny nose, fever or aches, you should probably stay at home,” Wigmore advised.
If you have a runny nose without aches or fever, you may be suffering from allergies. A dry, “clear your throat” type of cough or tickle may also be allergies or irritation. In that case, it’s likely OK to go to work, she said.
“But if your runny nose is accompanied with thick, yellow or green mucus, this is an indication that your body is fighting off an illness,” Wigmore noted. “In this case, stay home.”
You should also stay home and seek medical attention if …
- Your throat hurts and you have aches, including headache, and/or you see white patches on your tonsils. This could be strep throat.
- Your temperature is higher than 100.4 degrees. That’s a strong sign of infection — and maybe the flu.
- You have nasal congestion with sinus or facial pain. This indicates a sinus infection. Sinus infections can be viral or bacterial. Viral sinus infections are often contagious.
Source: HealthDay
