Am I too sick to go to work?

This story was originally titled "Too Sick to Go to Work, School ..."  in the September 2008 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!

One morning last winter, Meredith Sharpe wasn't sure how she was going to face the day. "I was dizzy, achy, sneezing, coughing, dripping. I almost fell over in the shower from the heat." The 33-year-old public relations manager based in Montreal knew she was suffering from the flu, but got dressed and headed to work anyway. "There was a project that I was responsible for, with an imminent deadline. I was needed and felt pressure to get the job done."

Like Meredith, you might think you're being responsible by showing up for work, even if you're sick. But are you? After all, you may not be doing yourself, or anyone else, a favour. Whether you think the office can't run without you or you're just afraid to ask your boss for a day off, making the decision to take a sick day – or to let your child stay home from school, even though she'll miss an important geography test – can be difficult. Take a look at the following symptoms and risks to help you determine when to stay home and rest.

Aches and pains
An all-over achy feeling can sometimes be the first sign that you're not functioning at 100 per cent. "Generally this is the hallmark of viral, flu-like infections," says Dr. William Milne, a family physician at Seaforth Community Medical Clinic and Hospital in Seaforth, Ont. These symptoms, often accompanied by a low-grade fever, can usually be controlled with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, so you could function in the workplace, but you do risk passing your infection on to your coworkers.

If your children are complaining of aches and pains and showing signs of inactivity, keep them at home where they can rest and you can make sure they get plenty of fluids. However, "If they are feeling well enough to run and play, they are most likely well enough to go to school," says Dr. Marni Hanna, a resident physician in pediatrics at the Winnipeg Children's Hospital.

Cough and congestion
No matter what your age, if you've got a runny nose and a persistent cough, you've also got a great reason to stay home. "Copious nasal discharge and cough will spread infection throughout the work environment quickly, even with the best precautions," says Milne. So stay at home, especially if your job involves interaction with infants or elderly people, who are more susceptible to infection, or if you're continually handing things to others (for instance, if you're serving food or working in a library).

Page 1 of 4