Go to Work when You Have a Severe Flu or Other Illness

It is never a good idea to go to work when you’re severely ill. You can put your coworkers at risk especially when you go into the workplace with as contagious an illness as the flu or other diseases. You are more likely to hurt your productivity, impact the productivity of others, and hamper your recovery from the illness. However, at times when you cannot avoid going into work while sick, there are some steps you can take to help yourself make it through the day and limit others’ chances of exposure.

Steps

Handling Your Own Symptoms

1. Use aromatic steam. Breathing in aromatic steam can help relieve nasal congestion by thinning mucus and it can also relieve sinus pressure and headache symptoms.< You can do this at at home or in your workplace’s restroom if time permits.
   • Add a couple of teaspoons of ginger, one teaspoon of menthol ointment (over-the-counter), or several drops of eucalyptus oil.
   • Go to a sink with water warm enough to form steam and fill the sink with hot water. You’ll also need a towel, so have one handy.
   • Drape the towel over the back of your head so the ends drop around either side of your head.
   • Breathe in the steam for a few minutes.
2. Warm up with a shower. Taking a warm shower before work can also help to relieve some of your congestion. This is another form of steam remedy. Make sure the bathroom door is closed so the steam from the shower builds. Shower as normal with very warm water.
   • This is only going to be practical at home.
3. Apply a warm compress. If you have a throbbing and congested head compounded by difficulty breathing through the nose then a compress is one way to go. Take a thick set of paper towels or clean linen cloth and soak it in warm water. Wrench or squeeze it out so it doesn’t drip everywhere. Allow it to rest on your forehead. Don’t let the water get so hot it burns you.
   • This can be done at home and work.
4. Mix in honey with a drink. You can try this for a throat remedy. Honey is a good soothing substance for a sore throat and cough. Mix in a teaspoon with some hot tea for a beverage.
   • This can be done at home or work. You may want to prepare the mix at home and put the drink in an insulated thermos to take to work.
5. Activate a mist humidifier/vaporizer. This is one environmental solution. If you want to use this at work you will need to be in a relatively small area or it won’t be too effective. And you will need permission most likely. Clean the machine with a solution of bleach every few days to stop the growth of mold or bacteria.
   • The humidifier moistens the air, which can ease congestion in the head and chest.
6. Gargle with salt water. This is one oral method you can try. Mixing in a teaspoon of salt with warm water to gargle with can be a quick way to relieve a sore throat at work.
   • You want to do this in the bathroom of your work place.
7. Squirt in a saline spray. Remove the cap. Insert the nozzle into one of your clogged nasal passages. Squeeze in one or two drops while simultaneously clamping shut the other nostril. Inhale deeply. Release the clamped nostril. Follow the instructions on the label to be more precise.
   • Saline or salt water sprays are simple over-the-counter nasal rinses that can thin mucus, relieve postnasal drip, and moisten dry nasal passages. These sprays also have some benefits for removing viruses and bacteria from the nose. They are not medicated so are usually very safe for adults and even kids.
8. Use a decongestant spray. Open the cap. Insert the tip into one nostril and squirt in one or two pumps. Do the same for the other nostril. You may need to follow other instructions according to your doctor, pharmacist, and/or the label.
   • These are medicated and relieve swollen or stuffy noses. Generally these are safe for most conditions including the flu, but if you’re using this for more than three days you need to stop and see a doctor. Using for more than three days can result in medication induced rebound congestion.
   • These come in pill form too. However, either the pill or spray decongestants can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Two common forms of the oral variety are pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine—both over-the-counter. If you are going to be working then your blood pressure and heart rate may fluctuate more from the daily stress. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure about safety issues.
9. Keep up with your cough syrup. There are several types of over-the-counter cough syrups that fight the cough by different means in the case of the flu. You’ll want to have one of these with you while at work if you have a coughing fit. You can try a suppressant or an expectorant (such as guaifenesin) to force up mucus.
   • Cough drops and throat lozenges are a great way to treat a cough and/or sore throat at home and at work. Keep some sugar-free cough drops or throat lozenges on hand all day. Less practical for work and more for home treatment of coughs would be topical treatments like menthol rubs for your chest.
10. Apply nasal strips. Nasal strips can help to open your nasal passages and make breathing easier. One of these can fit on the lower third of your nose. A plastic strip under a bandage like strip springs out to gently pull open your nose and this eases your breathing. You can easily wear this at work all day.
11. Take a pain reliever. Colds and flus can be painful, so taking an over-the-counter pain reliever may help. Make sure that you follow the dosage instructions on the package. Ingest the pills with plenty of water. Place extra pills in a pill box or keep the bottle in a handy place such as a purse, bag, or desk drawer.
    • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or other analgesics like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve) are available over-the-counter for pain relief. These medicines also reduce fever.
    • Make sure that you check the ingredients on any cold or flu medicine you are taking. Many of these medicines already contain a pain reliever and it is important to avoid doubling up on these. This can cause severe problems, such as kidney damage.
12. Take an antiviral drug. If your illness is viral, then taking an antiviral medication may help. Talk to your doctor about getting these medicines prescribed. Have the medicine administered within 48 hours of the onset of your illness.
    • Usually these medicines such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu), peramivir (Rapivab), or zanamivir (Relenza) are best if taken within 48 hours of onset of the flu, but can still work if taken later. However, these drugs can have more pronounced side effects. Consult with your doctor about these drugs or if you need medicine for another illness.

Maintaining Yourself on the Job

1. Go home when you are too sick. You should go home if you are feeling nauseous or vomiting too frequently, coughing excessively, unable to fight off fatigue, or otherwise unable to maintain a reasonable level of concentration for more than a few minutes. Anything more extreme than these conditions may warrant emergency care altogether. You’re your boss you’re at your limit and you need to be excused.
   • These conditions also greatly increase the risk of you contaminating someone else.
2. Take frequent breaks. The flu and other illnesses will likely leave you with less energy than you normally have during the day as your body fights the disease. So allow yourself more time to complete tasks.
   • You should expect a lower level of productivity if you go to work while experiencing the flu or another illness.
   • Don’t push yourself to get as much work done as you would normally. Do what workload you can within your limits, then take a break. Take your medicine if necessary, perform one of the remedies, or just relax. You can resume working after you had a chance to recover some energy.
   • You might try working for one hour then take a 15 minute rest period. Repeat this throughout the day.
   • Make sure your boss is well informed of your condition so they can make arrangements for an area for you to rest if necessary. They will also know you are not just wasting time.
3. Eat lighter but maintain your strength. Prepare foods to improve your immune system. Take a can of soup, vitamin c rich fruits (like oranges), and some proteins (lean meats, poultry, eggs) that you can stomach in meal containers with you to work.
   • The flu or illness you have may upset your stomach and the medicine you take may aggravate this feeling further. However, you need to keep up your nutrients to help your recovery.
   • Soup is good for eating especially if it's hard to swallow without pain. Eat hot chicken soup. You can sprinkle in pepper, add garlic, add curry powder, or put in a dash of other pungent spices to thin out the mucus congesting you. The soup can also improve your white blood count in your immune system. Drink orange juice to build up your vitamin C and folic acid for your immune system. Dairy is okay unless it’s upsetting your stomach. Keep on eating good protein sources like lean meats, poultry, fish, legumes, dairy, eggs, nuts, and seeds. These have vitamins B6 and B12 which help your immune system. Selenium and zinc also help your immune system. These minerals are found in protein-rich foods too. Other immune system boosters include grapefruits, lemons, limes, watermelon, kale, collard greens, broccoli, and cabbage.
4. Drink plenty of fluids. Start slowly with 4 to 8 ounces at a time and use clear drinks at first if you’re suffering diarrhea or nausea. Especially when feeling nauseous or suffering diarrhea you can also try chipped ice, fruit juices, sports drinks, and ginger ale. Dehydration is a significant risk while suffering the flu or some other illnesses. So you want to make sure you are taking in plenty of water during the work day.
   • If you go to work with the flu or similar illnesses then you should drink lots of liquids like water, clear soups, broth, or electrolyte replacement drinks until the fever resolves. Some other ways to get fluids in include gelatin and ice pops.

Limiting Contamination

1. Let others know you are sick. Call ahead to your boss, supervisor, and/or coworker to let them know you are sick. Tell them what you are sick with, the flu or whatever other illness it may be. Also let them know you are intending to come to work, but will take precautions to limit spreading the disease.
   • Letting your boss and coworkers know you are sick can also help them take measures to protect themselves.
   • This is also a good time to ask if you can take the day off. Try saying something like, “I don’t want to get my coworkers sick and I don’t think that I will be at my best today. Is it okay if I stay home to rest and recover from this illness?”
2. Cover up your cough. If you must go to work, then it is important to cover your mouth when you cough. Turning away to avoid coughing on another worker or covering it up with your hands is a good idea. Have tissues nearby or on your person to cover up your cough. If you can get antibacterial tissues do so. Dispose of any used tissues immediately and take care they don’t come in contact with other surfaces.
   • If you’re in close quarters try to aim your cough at empty space or a wall. The same goes for sneezing.
3. Disinfect your hands. Your hands are one of the easiest ways you can contaminate surfaces or other workers. You’ll need to Wash-Your-Hands more frequently, and thoroughly while sick at work with the flu or similar illnesses. Go to your workplace’s bathroom or wash station and run your hands under warm water and soap for 20 seconds each time.
   • If soap is not available then have soap-less (usually alcohol based) hand sanitizer with you at all times and use it often. Use it especially before and after making hand to hand contact with another person.
4. Use spray disinfectants. Having a spray can of disinfectant can help protect coworkers from contamination via surfaces. Spray handles, desk areas, seats, and if safe to do so, electronic peripherals (like a keyboard or mouse) that you might share with other coworkers. Spray down restroom surfaces in the workplace you touch too.
   • There are any number of disinfectant sprays you can get in a store. Have one at your work station, desk, and bathroom so you can spray any surfaces you touch.
5. Quarantine workplace items. This includes tools, computers, and even food. In cases where you store food at work you might want to put a note that you are sick so others know not to make contact with your food containers or mix up items you need to help your recovery.
   • If your boss is wary of you spraying electronics with disinfectant then you might ask if the ones you touch can be isolated. This way only you are touching potentially contaminated surfaces. This applies to any other tools you may use on the job. If you are coughing and sneezing then you might ask to be allowed to work in a separate area of the office or workplace so you aren’t in close proximity to other employees.
6. Take breaks at separate times. Ask your boss if you can take breaks at different times or locations so you don’t expose coworkers to your germs. If you can limit the time your coworkers and you are in the same place while you are contagious then you will reduce their exposure to your illness.
   • Avoiding contact with others is the best way to prevent your infecting them with the flu or other illness. If you must go to work then in addition to disinfecting items and quarantining them you can alter your schedule if workflow permits so your coworkers aren’t physically close to you while you are ill. This can also allow more time to disinfect break room surfaces by you or any cleaning staff. Take advantage of separate break times to recover more of the energy you might be losing due to the illness.

Tips

• Remember that it is best to call in sick if you are sick! Going to work puts your coworkers at risk and you are likely to be less productive. Working when you are sick can even be unsafe, such as if you operate heavy machinery or if you serve food. Calling in to ask for the day off should be the first thing you do if you are sick.
• Always consult a doctor for a diagnosis of your illness and/or proceeding with a remedy.
• Give your supervisor/boss ample notice that you are sick.
• Keep water or fruit juice on hand to drink all day.
• Eat light, but eat something to keep up your strength without upsetting your stomach.
• Keep hand-sanitizer close by at your work spaces. Use it frequently.
• Have a spray disinfectant nearby for other surfaces.
• Keep a pill holder with any medication on your person at all times.
• If you have vomited in the last 48 hours, have had migraines, or are unable to eat or drink anything, you are feeling like you might pass out or too dizzy, stay home! It’s always better to take care of yourself first than taking care of work.

Warnings

• Be careful not to overdose on medicines. Some, such as painkillers, are often mixed in with other flu-specific or illness-specific medicines you may already be taking.
• Dehydration is a significant risk with gastrointestinal symptoms from the flu while you are working and/or under stress, such as diarrhea and vomiting.
• If you work in a place where you handle heavy or dangerous machinery then you should not attempt to go to work while suffering from the flu or under the influence of certain medication.
• If you feel light headed, dizzy, nauseous, have a fever over 102 degrees, or otherwise nearly incapacitated you should stop working immediately and ask for medical attention.
• Don’t use cough suppressants if you have asthma or lung disease.

Related Articles

• Call in Sick when You Just Need a Day Off
• Pretend You Are Not Sick

References

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