Sick for Work
Q: How sick is too sick for work?
Affinity's medical expert is Farah Khan, MD, a family medicine provider for Affinity Medical Group in Neenah and Oshkosh.
A: Our culture is very defined by its work ethic. We often believe we can’t spend a day away from the office because of work load or we’ll be perceived as weak by our co-workers and superiors.
But coming to work sick can do more harm than good. In addition to spreading germs to fellow employees, sick workers who come to work are less productive and remain sick longer than workers who stay home. Many employees don’t know when it’s appropriate to call in sick.
Here are a few guidelines on when to stay home:
Stomach issues: If you are vomiting or have the diarrhea, stay home. It could be a sign of the stomach flu, which is very contagious and downright uncomfortable.
Sore throat: If you feel like you’re swallowing razor blades, go to the doctor for a throat culture. A sore throat accompanied by a fever and swollen glands could be strep throat, a highly contagious infection that requires antibiotics.
Flu: Sudden fever, chills and achiness are the hallmarks of the flu. Because it is such a contagious virus, your co-workers will thank you for staying home.
Fever: A fever can happen for a number of different reasons. Until you know the cause, stay away from your co-workers and visit you doctor.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): Conjunctivitis is characterized by redness, swelling or feeling like there is sand (or something) in your eye. Conjunctivitis can easily spread and employees should stay away from work until they have received treatment.
Cold: Viruses that cause the common cold are most contagious in the days prior to feeling sick. If your symptoms are mild, coming into work should be OK. Just wash your hands and common surfaces, like coffee pots, phones and elevator buttons often. For more severe symptoms, like headache, sore throat and body ache, stay home.
Emotional instability: If your job requires full concentration to stay safe, such as in construction or manufacturing, it’s best to stay home during times of extreme emotional stress. Most work-related injuries occur because of worker negligence. It’s better to stay home than to be a hazard to yourself and your co-workers.
