How Sick Is Too Sick To Go To Work?

Your throat feels sore, your nose is “snuffy” and your body aches. The first question most folks ask is what do I have; the second question is, I wonder if I am contagious, and the last question is, should I go to work?

How do you know if you’re contagious?

The flu is a viral infection with symptoms that range from a runny nose, watery eyes, sore throat, a cough, general body aches and pains, and a fever.

Unlike a cold, the flu penetrates deeper into the respiratory tract, accompanied with a high fever.  The flu normally goes away in about seven days, although some symptoms such as a cough can persists for many days.

The flu is contagious a day before and five to seven days after it begins.  You can go back to work, without worrying that you are contagious when a full 24  hours without a fever has occurred.

Colds can also  be caused by viruses with symptoms similar to the flu, such as a runny nose, watery eyes, and a cough. There is normally no fever associated with the common cold.

A cold usually lasts five to seven days, with varying degrees of symptoms and will be contagious from one day before you experience symptoms up until your sneezing, runny nose and cough stops.

When to Stay Home:

How well can you carry out your work duties? If you are feeling poorly, there’s a good chance you will not be at your best.  Try to work from home, re-arrange meetings, and use technology as much as possible.

If you have a viral or bacterial illness,  you are contagious, and going into work will expose your coworkers and clients, and in turn they will infect others.

Are you taking any medications that could impair your ability to think, work, or drive? If yes, stay at home.

Will resting help heal the body faster? By going back to work when you are still sick, you can actually make yourself  sicker. By letting your body fight the infection from home for the first day or two, you will be more likely to have a stronger body and be able to manage going back to work, without a relapse.

When in doubt about what type of illness you have, contact your doctor, walk-in clinic or health care practitioner.