Should I Stay Home?

When you don't feel well, it's not always easy to decide if you should stay home from work or school. Many of us prefer to tough it out when we aren't our best. But whether or not you can push through the day isn't the only thing you should consider. COVID-19 has reminded us that when you are ill, you should stay home so that you can recover faster, but also to protect others from getting ill. 

Unfortunately, knowing whether you might be contagious or not is not very straight forward. Here are a few of the more common symptoms, and some suggestions to help you make your decision on whether to stay home or not.  

Why do you think you should stay home? 

  • Do you feel sick?
  • Do you feel tired? 
  • Is a chronic condition acting up? 

If you think you are sick, do you have any of the following symptoms?

  • Fever with or without chills

    Expand dropdown

    Having a fever (a temperature greater than 100 degrees F) is a sign that your body is fighting some kind of infection. Most likely, it is contagious. It would be best to stay home until your temperature is normal for at least 24 hours without any fever reducing medication such as acetominophen or ibuprofen.

    There is great variation in how long you may be contagious for based on the specific germ you may be infected with. For example, with some infections you are contagious before the fever starts (e.g. chicken pox and COVID-19) for others, you may be infectious for up to a week (influenza) after it starts. You may even want to stay home or work from home until you feel better. 

  • Headache Expand dropdown

    Headaches may be a common occurence for some, a rare occurence for others, or a symtpm of an infection.  For migraine sufferers, headaches are generally accompanied by sensitivity to noise and light. This can be debilitating. Other headache suferers may have them on a more everyday basis, such as those who suffer from tension headaches. These may go away more quickly after some rest and relaxation, but may return. You probably will not be at peak performance today at school or work,  so consider staying home - at least for a few hours until pain and sensitivity improves. 

    When headaches are a symptom of an infection, there is a high liklihood that the infection is contagious. If you are expereinceing a headache that developed along with other symtpms (fever, body aches, stuffy nose, cough) you should proabbaly stay home until you see what this develops into. 

    *Common causes of headaches

    Noncontagious causes
    Contagious causes

    Cluster headaches

    Common cold

    Concussion

    COVID-19

    Migraine headaches

    Encephalitis

    Stroke

    Influenza

    Tension headaches

    Meningitis

     

    Viral infection

    *This is not an exhaustive list of conditions and this list should not be used for self-diagnosis. If you are expereincing sever or life-threatening symptoms you should call 911 and go to the emergency deptartment. All individuals are encouraged to consult with their primary care provider for proper diagnosis and treatment of all conditions and symptoms. 

  • Body aches Expand dropdown

    We all experience aches and pains, but unexpected achy joints can be an early symptom of the flu. If your body hurts and you feel tired, call it quits and spend a day or two in bed. This recommendation is also good for back pain. Long periods of sitting or standing can make it worse, so taking a day off or working shorter days is a good strategy to minimize pain and keep you productive at work in the long run. 

    *Common causes of headaches

    Noncontagious causes
    Contagious causes

    Chronic bone/joint/muscle pain

    Common cold

    Muscle or joint fatigue (exercise)

    COVID-19

    Trauma

    Influenza (the flu)

     

    Viral infections

    *This is not an exhaustive list of conditions and this list should not be used for self-diagnosis. If you are expereincing sever or life-threatening symptoms you should call 911 and go to the emergency deptartment. All individuals are encouraged to consult with their primary care provider for proper diagnosis and treatment of all conditions and symptoms. 

  • Pinkeye Expand dropdown

    If your eye is red with think mucous in the corners or stuck to your eyelashes, you may have pinkeye. This is highly contagious, so don't go to work. Contact your primary care provider to see if you need any eye drops or medications to treat this. Be sure to you wash your hands to avoid sharing this with others.

    *Common causes of headaches

    Fatigue Eye trauma
    Noncontagious causes
    Contagious causes
    Allergies
    Common cold
    Chronic eye condition
    Influenza (the flu)
    Eye trauma

    Pinkeye (conjunctivitis)

    Fatigue
     

    Foreign Body in eye

     
    *This is not an exhaustive list of conditions and this list should not be used for self-diagnosis. If you are expereincing sever or life-threatening symptoms you should call 911 and go to the emergency deptartment. All individuals are encouraged to consult with their primary care provider for proper diagnosis and treatment of all conditions and symptoms. 
  • Earache Expand dropdown

    If you are having ear pain with or without changes in your hearing, you could have an ear infection. Ear infections can be the result of an infection in the canal (swimmer's ear), an infection in the tympanic membrane (classic ear infection), or the result of pressure and fluid changes in the inner ear associated with allergies or upper respiratory infections.

    Ear infections themselves are generally not contagious, but you may need treatment and may not be able to function well at work if you are in pain, you should contact your primary care provider. If however, your ear pain is associated with a head cold, you can spread this to someone else during the first 2 to 3 days. You should probably take precautions to avoid making others ill. 

    *Common causes of headaches

    Ear canal infection (swimmer's ear, aka otitis externa)
    Noncontagious causes
    Contagious causes

    Alleregies

    Common Cold

    Ear canal infection (swimmer's ear, aka otitis externa)
     

    Ear infection (aka otitis media)

     

    Sinus infection

     

    *This is not an exhaustive list of conditions and this list should not be used for self-diagnosis. If you are expereincing sever or life-threatening symptoms you should call 911 and go to the emergency deptartment. All individuals are encouraged to consult with their primary care provider for proper diagnosis and treatment of all conditions and symptoms. 

  • Nasal congestion (stuffy or runny nose) Expand dropdown

    If you wake up in the morning sniffling, take stock of how you feel overall. If you don't have a fever and you otherwise feel fine, this might be allergies. An over-the-counter non-sedating antihistamine may help you get through the day. You can contact your primary care provider or even your local pharmacist to see if this may be a good and safe choice for you.

    On the other hand, if you have other symptoms, you feel lousy, and you are constantly sneezing and/or blowing your nose, you should probably stay home. But if you're only a little stuffy and it is better by the time you finish your morning coffee, it's probably fine to go to work or school.

    Be sure to wash your hands frequeently, use hand sanitizer after blowing your nose and take care of your used tissues.

    *Common causes of headaches

    Noncontagious causes
    Contagious causes

    Allergies

    Common cold

    Bloody nose

    Influenza (the flu)

    Cluster headache

    Viral Infections

    Dry air

     

    Deviated septumMigraine headache

     

    Sinus infection

     

    *This is not an exhaustive list of conditions and this list should not be used for self-diagnosis. If you are expereincing sever or life-threatening symptoms you should call 911 and go to the emergency deptartment. All individuals are encouraged to consult with their primary care provider for proper diagnosis and treatment of all conditions and symptoms. 

  • Sore throat Expand dropdown

    There are many reasons for you to have a sore throat. A sore throat can be the result of over use, such as straining your vocal chords,  it can be due to drainage down the back of your throat from sinuses, or it can be the result of an infection.  thisnk about what you did in the past 24-48 hours. Might there be a reason for your sore throat. Next, take stock of how you feel, do you feel ill? Do you have other symtpms besides just a sore throat?  If you don’t have a runny nose and you haven't strained your vocal chords, your throat pain may be the result of an in fection in your throat, tonsils, or lymph nodes. If you’re not sure what’s causing your sore throat, you should stay home and contact your primary care provider, so they can determine if you’re contagious or not. 

    *Common causes of headaches

    Noncontagious causes
    Contagious causes

    Air polllution (smoke or chemical irritants)

    Common cold

    Allergies

    Bacterial infection

    Dry or cold air

    Fungal infection

    Gasteroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or heartburn)

    Influenza (the flu)

    Neck or throat injury

    Viral infections

    Post nasal drip

     

    Snoring or breathing with an open mouth

     

    Vocal cord strain

     

    *This is not an exhaustive list of conditions and this list should not be used for self-diagnosis. If you are expereincing sever or life-threatening symptoms you should call 911 and go to the emergency deptartment. All individuals are encouraged to consult with their primary care provider for proper diagnosis and treatment of all conditions and symptoms. 

  • Cough Expand dropdown

    If you have developed a cough that is causing you difficulty with breathing, you should call 911 and go to the Emergency room.

    Cough can be a symptom of many different conditions. If you have a chronic health condition and are being treated for your cough, you can generally go to work. If however, your cough is much worse today than usual, you might not be at your peak and you might disrupt others. You may want to check with your primary care provider about what could be causing you to have a worse cough today.

    If you developed a cough overnight that kept you awale or your cough is severe enouhg that it is difficult to control, consider staying home today. You may be infectious especially if you are having other symtpms in addition to the cough. 

    *Common causes of headaches

    Noncontagious causes
    Contagious causes

    Air pollutants

    Bronchitis

    Any inhaled irritants

    Common cold

    Asthma

    COVID-19

    Dry or cold air

    Influenza (the flu)

    Foreigh body

    Pneumonia

    Gasteroesophageal Refuls Disease (GERD or heartburn)

    Tuberculosis

     

    Viral infections

    *This is not an exhaustive list of conditions and this list should not be used for self-diagnosis. If you are expereincing sever or life-threatening symptoms you should call 911 and go to the emergency deptartment. All individuals are encouraged to consult with their primary care provider for proper diagnosis and treatment of all conditions and symptoms. 
  • Stomach trouble (nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea) Expand dropdown

    Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are miserable on their own. Trying to work with these symtpms is even worse. It also may put your coworkers at risk. Pregnancy, chronic stomach issues, and over indulgence can be som common causes of nause, vomiting, and diarrhea that may keep you home from time to time, but are not infectious.

    However, there are many infectious causes of nause, vomitting, and diarrhea that are highly contagious. In fact they are so contagious that simply sharing a hand towel can spread the infection.  Ideally, you should stay home and close to the bathroom until your symptoms have subsided for 24 hours. 

    *Common causes of headaches

    Noncontagious causes
    Contagious causes

    Antibiotics

    Gasteroenteritis ("GI bug" or "stomach flu")

    Chronic conditions

         Bacterial (e.g. e coli, salmonella)

     

    Foold allergies

     

     

         Parasites (e.g. giardia)

     

    Lactose intolerance

         Viruses (e.g. adenovirus, norovirus)

    Menstrual symptoms

     

    Toxins

     

    *This is not an exhaustive list of conditions and this list should not be used for self-diagnosis. If you are expereincing sever or life-threatening symptoms you should call 911 and go to the emergency deptartment. All individuals are encouraged to consult with their primary care provider for proper diagnosis and treatment of all conditions and symptoms. 

  • Unusual rash or itch Expand dropdown

    Usually a little rash or a small itchy patch of skin isn't something to worry about. But it can be a sign of some highly contagious conditins such as hand, foot and mouth disease.

    Bacterial and viral skin infections infections tend to to spread quickly. The infection may be the skin irritation itself, or the rash could be a symptom of something more serious and systemic. It is a good idea to talk to your primary care provider before you go to work. 

    *Common causes of headaches


    Noncontagious causes
    Contagious causes

    Acne

    Bacterial infection (cellulitis)

    Dandruff

    Chicken pox / Shingles

    Eczema

    Impetigo

    Drug reaction

    Measles / Rubella

    Heat rash

    Meningitis rash

    Hives

    MRSA

    Pooison ivy

    Pityriasis rosea

    Psoriasis

    Ringworm

    Rosacea

    Scabies

     

    Warts

    *This is not an exhaustive list of conditions and this list should not be used for self-diagnosis. If you are expereincing sever or life-threatening symptoms you should call 911 and go to the emergency deptartment. All individuals are encouraged to consult with their primary care provider for proper diagnosis and treatment of all conditions and symptoms. 

  • Multiple symptoms Expand dropdown

    Generally speaking, the more upper respiratory symptoms you have, such as fever, congestion, sore throat, and cough, the more likely you are to have something that is contagious. 

    Common colds and other respiratory  viruses (influenza and COVID-19) often take 10-14 days to run their full course. You may not be miserable the entire time, but there is a gradually worsening of symptoms followed by a gradual resolution. 

    Stomach bugs, on the other hand usually last 24 hours to 5 days and are usually severe at the onset.  It may take several weeks for your bowel movements to return to normal. 

    In both of these situations you should stay home and avoid sharing this with others until you are fever free without fever reducing medication for 24 hours or for at least 24 hours after your last bout of vomiting or diarrhea. 

Do you feel too tired to go to work or school? 

Common reasons that you may feel too tired to go to work or school include

  • Allergies Expand dropdown
    • Allergies are a common cause of being tired. But they can often can be easily treated and self-managed. To make a diagnosis, your health care provider will assess your symptoms. They will also find out, through a detailed history or testing, whether your allergies may be triggered by pollens, insects (dust mites or cockroaches), animal dander, molds and mildew, weather changes, or something else.
    • One way to reduce symptoms - including fatigue - is to take steps to avoid the offending allergen. In addition, proper medication can help with symptoms. If you take over the counter allergy medicine, talk to the pharmacist about selecting one that won’t make you sleepy.
  • Anemia Expand dropdown
    • Anemia is the most common blood condition in the U.S. It affects more than 5.6% of Americans. For women in their childbearing years, anemia is a common cause of fatigue. This is especially true for women who have heavy menstrual.
    • Anemia is a condition in which you don't have enough red blood cells. It can happen for many reasons. For instance, it may be the result of hemorrhoids, stomach problems, medications,  chronic health conditions, or nutritional deficiencies. 
    • To confirm a diagnosis of anemia, your health care provider need you to do a blood test. If iron deficiency is the cause of your fatigue, treatment may include iron supplements. You can also add iron-rich foods such as spinach, broccoli, and red meat to your diet to help relieve symptoms. Vitamin C with meals or with iron supplements can help the iron to be better absorbed and improve your symptoms.
  • Chronic illness Expand dropdown
    • There are a number of chronic health conditions that can cause fatigue. In fact, a health problem in just about any organ system from the brain, to the thyroid, heart, lungs, kidneys, immune system, or musculoskeletal system can result in fatigue. 
    • Sometimes, the treatments associated with conditions may be responsible for extreme fatigue. 
    • If it is chronic, ensuring that you get enough rest, eat well, and exercise may help. 
    • If this is new, getting worse, or you have never spoke to your health care provider about this, consider making an appointment. 
  • Depression/Mental Health Expand dropdown
    • Being tired or fatigued is often a symptom of depression and/or anxiety. 
    • While there can be triggers for depression such as life events, social issues, chronic illness, and medications, none of these are necessary to have depression.  That is depression is a medical condition and there does not need to be a reason for having it. 
    • Some people may be in a a sad or anxious mood for a day. This is not by itself depression or anxiety. But if you are having more of these days than previously, or you feel this way most of the time, you should talk to your primary care provider, CAPS, or Community Mental Health. 
    • When you are in a depressed or anxious mood, you may have little interest in activities that you usually enjoy. You may sleep more than usual or less. You may eat more or less. And you may experience feelings of hopeless. These are all serious symptoms, and you should you should talk to your primary care provider, CAPS, or Community Mental Health. 
  • Illness Expand dropdown
    • Fatigue is a vague, but common symptom of many types of illnesses. It is often an early sign of influenza and COVID-19. It is also a common symptom associated with heart, lung, kidney, and most chronic illnesses, 
    • Fatigue associated with acute viral, bacterial, and fungal infections are usually contagious (the common cold, COVID-19,  influenza, mononucleosis, pneumonia).
    • Fatigue can also be associated with a number of chronic viral, bacterial and fungal infections that can be highly contagious untreated (Cytomegalovirus, Hepatitis, HIV).
    • Typically, once the acute part of an illness has run its course, the fatigue begins to improve. But in illnesses such as Mononucleosis and COVID-19 with Long-haul syndrome, the fatigue can last weeks or months. 
    • As a rule of thumb, if you are acutely ill, you should probably stay home and contact your primary care provider. 
    • If you have a chronic condition and are experiencing a new onset of fatigue, you may want to contact your primary or specialty care provider. While you are probably not contagious you may not be as productive as usual today.
  • Medication side effects Expand dropdown
    • Please know that medications effect all people differently and these are generalizations. 
    • Most drugs have side effects. Fatigue is one of the more common side effects described for both prescription and over-the-counter medications.  Whether or not sleepiness is noted as a side-effect, a medication can still cause it. 
    • The over-the-counter allergy medications Benadryl™ (diphenhydramine) can be very sedating. Consider selecting a non-sedating allergy medication like Claritin™ (loratadine) instead- but you should speak with your primary care provider or a pharmacist first. 
    • Prescription medications for treating cardiovascular, neurologic mental health, pain, and many other conditions may also cause sleepiness. Be sure to talk to your primary or specialty care provider. 
  • Sleep disorder Expand dropdown
    • Unfortunately, sleep difficulties are common. We need sufficient restorative sleep nightly to function well. Chronic sleeplessness can have negative long-term health consequences. Depending on your job, you could also place others at risk of harm. 
    • Sleep terminology:
      • Insomnia:  difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
      • Narcolepsy: Falling asleep abruptly during the day and feeling sleepy throughout the day.
      • Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS): Restless or unsettled legs that make you feel as though you need to move them when you are trying to fall asleep. 
      • REM sleep disorders: Sleep walking, taking, or other activities that prevent restorative sleep. 
      • Sleep apnea: Loud snoring or snoring with pauses in breathing that wakes you up and being tired throughout the day. 
  • Lack of self-care Expand dropdown
    • To have a good nights sleep, you must take care of yourself throughout the day and day-to-day. 
    • Eat well
    • Get regular exercise 
    • Get some exposure to sunlight (while taking precautions – sunglasses, protective clothing, sunscreen) your body needs light to help regulate your sleep-wake cycle. 
    • Small changes can help, but you should also talk to your primary care provider. 
  • Sleep Hygiene Expand dropdown

    Eight tips to help you get a good night’s sleep. 

        • Keep a regular sleep routine
        • Avoid daytime naps
        • Don’t stay in bed awake more than 5-10 minutes
        • Don’t watch TV, use the computer or read in bed
        • Be careful drinking caffeine, the effects can last for hours
        • Avoid substances that interfere with sleep such as nicotine, alcohol, and some over the counter medications
        • Sleep with fresh air, open a window a little or try an air purifier
        • Keep your sleeping room quiet and comfortable
        • Develop a pre-bedtime winddown routine

    American Sleep Association (2022). Sleep Hygiene tips. https://www.sleepassociation.org/about-sleep/sleep-hygiene-tips/

Is your Chronic Condition acting up?

  • Six in ten adults in the US have a chronic disease and four in ten adults have two or more.
      • Heart disease
      • Lung disease
      • Cancer
      • Stroke
      • Alzheimer's disease
      • Diabetes
      • Kindney disease
  • Chronic diseases are defined broadly as conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both. While your condition is not contagious, consider if you are safe to get to work or be at work. Will you be able to focus today.
  • If symptoms are acting up today, decide how sever they are. You may not be as productive today or you may be distracting to others. You may want to rest and allow your symptoms to subside or contact your primary care provider to let them know what you are expereincing. 

What to do if you are not coming to work: Employees

  • If you are sick, and not able to report to campus, you must notify your supervisor, via phone, of your absence.  If you are unable to reach your supervisor and leave a message, you may email your supervisor. 
  • Employees who have symptoms of illness, who feel well enough to work, and are in positions that are amenable to remote work may work remotely with supervisor permission. 
  • Employees must contact their supervisor on each day that they will not be reporting to work due to illness and populate their time sheets as appropriate. 
  • Employees who have a serious health condition that may result in an absence of five (5) workdays or more, should contact Human Resources to inquire about FMLA eligibility.
  • If at any time your absence is related to COVID-19 symptoms, test positivity, or close contact, you must follow the appropriate protocol for notifying University Telehealth in addition to any steps listed above. (insert links).
  • Bargained for Employees should consult their Collective Bargaining Agreements for additional guidance and information related to sick leave.

What to do if you are not coming to work: Students

  • If you are sick, and not able to attend class, you should notify your instructor, of your absence.
  • Students who have symptoms of illness, who feel well enough to attend virtually, may ask the instructor if that is an option. The instructor is not obligated to provide this option if this is a scheduled face-to-face class.
  • Students who have a serious health condition that may result in an absence of multiple classes, should contact the Dean of students (734-487-1107)to discuss options including absence notification.
  • If at any time your absence is related to COVID-19 symptoms, test positivity, or close contact, you must follow the appropriate protocol for notifying University Telehealth (734-487-3865) in addition to any steps listed above.
  • Campus options for Support include:
  • Student employees should additionally review the “What to do if you are not coming to work: Employees” webpage and follow those instructions for informing their supervisor.