Too Sick for School? Not Well for Work?
What to Know to Nurse Your Own Health and Protect Others
On days when you don't "rise and shine" because you're not feeling well, what should you do? Should you still rise and go about your daily rituals, such as work or school? Or, should you get bed rest to get better, and to protect coworkers and classmates from catching what you have? Given the recent outbreak of the H1N1 flu, these questions are now more important than ever. Christopher Quinn, MD, Director of Occupational Health at Sturdy Memorial Hospital and board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, offers the following advice to adhere to when you or your child is feeling under the weather, and wondering whether to go out or stay home.
Cough and Cold Symptoms
If you have mild coughing and sneezing, but no fever, it's safe enough to go to work, but take measures to reduce the risk of infecting others. Cover your mouth with a tissue, your arm, or the crook of your elbow when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands frequently with soap and water. If soap and water are unavailable, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Diarrhea or Vomiting
Stay home and return to work 24 hours after the last episode if you are vomiting and/or have diarrhea. These symptoms could be caused by a contagious virus, food poisoning, or another condition, but if these symptoms do not improve or worsen, see your doctor.
Fever and Flu Symptoms
If you have a fever and severe flu symptoms including muscle aches, headache, fatigue, weakness, sore throat, runny nose, and cough, stay home to recover and spare your coworkers from infectious droplets that are emitted through sneezing and coughing. Although most people need a few days to recuperate from the flu, they can return to work 24 to 48 hours after their temperature has returned to normal.
Earache
See your doctor if you have an earache to determine its cause and treatment.
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Symptoms of pink eye include eye redness, tearing, burning, itching, or swollen eyelids. Visit your doctor if you have pink eye, and stay home until symptoms clear, as the virus is highly contagious. When you return, avoid touching your eyes and wash your hands frequently
Sinus Infection
Mild sinus infections can be alleviated with decongestants, allowing you to go to work, but if you experience throbbing facial pain or headache, stay home and see your doctor if symptoms dont improve within a few days, or if they worsen.
Sore Throat
A minor sore throat shouldn't keep you home, but visit your doctor if you have a severe sore throat, which could be strep throat, and very contagious.
Staph Skin Infections
Community-acquired staph infections are most often easily treatable, but in rare cases, can become serious, invasive infections. It's crucial, then, to bring any skin abscesses or boils to your doctor's attention. MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a staph infection transmitted by skin-to-skin contact or by sharing contaminated items, and should be taken seriously.
Still unsure about going to work, school, or staying home?
Take into account how you feel, and how others would feel if you were around them while you're sick. If you believe you would have a hard time functioning and performing your work duties at your normal capacity, and bed rest would be to your benefit, stay home. If your coworkers would avoid you like the plague or blame you should they contract your illness, stay home. But, if your illness is mild enough that you could still enjoy an outing to the park, beach, or shopping mall, you're well enough to work or go to school. Contact your primary care physician if you have any questions or concerns.
Unmistakable Emergencies
If your illness calls for immediate, emergency medical attention, call 911, or visit Sturdy Memorial Hospital's Emergency Care Center, which is open 24 hours a day. The "Quick Care" Program at the Hospital, developed for people with less serious injuries or illnesses, is available every day from 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.
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