Am I too sick to go to work?

Stomach and Indigestion
Especially in older people, stomach pains and diarrhea can often be side-effects of medications such as antibiotics, particularly if the antibiotic is new to them. It's important to address this with a doctor, so additional medication isn't mistakenly prescribed.

Elderly people should stay home and be sure to have adequate fluid replacement in the event of vomiting or diarrhea. "Older people tend to be less thirsty and their kidneys are less able to retain water, so severe diarrhea can put them at risk for dehydration," says Heckman.

Relax, you're sick!
Adults: Sometimes staying at home when you're ill can seem more stressful than going to the office, because your undone chores are more noticeable in the light of day. Is it OK to ignore them and retire to the couch? "Always do what you're capable of, keeping up nourishment in small but frequent amounts. But if your body is asking for rest and tranquility – indulge it," says Dr. William Milne, a family physician at Seaforth Community Medical Clinic in Seaforth, Ont.

Children: Dr. Marni Hanna, a resident physician in pediatric medicine at the Winnipeg Children's Hospital, agrees, saying that children will want to do what they feel up to. But she reinforces the notion of taking some downtime. "The idea of keeping your children at home is to allow them to rest and recover faster."

What about that evening music class or baseball game that you or your child can't bear to miss? "Children recover from illness faster than the typical adult, but parents should err on the side of caution," says Hanna. If children no longer have pains or fevers and are breathing well with minimal cough, sitting at an event is likely not a problem. But if they're well enough to run through an entire soccer game, then they can likely make it through a day at school.

Milne echoes that sentiment for adults, and puts forth a wise word of warning: "If you do stay home sick, it doesn't look good if the boss sees you on the tennis court."

Elderly Adults: Dr. George Heckman, a geriatrician at Hamilton General Hospital in Hamilton, says you should stay active as much as possible if you're elderly. "The problem with bed rest, especially for older people, is that they may not have the muscle reserve that a younger person does. They may lose up to five per cent of their muscle strength every day that they are in bed. If they're borderline independent, a couple of days in bed could mean that they can no longer get back out of bed and take care of themselves."

Read more:
• Colds and flu: Symptoms and treatment
• Tips for easing your child's upset stomach
• Foods for a healthy immune system

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