As of: March 11, 2024, 6:30 a.m
By: Jasmina Deshmeh
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When you have a cold, the decision to go to the office or not is often difficult.
When working from home and when calling in sick is the right choice.
Colds and respiratory infections keep us busy even in spring.
Since the Corona pandemic, coming to work with cold symptoms has been a no-go for many people.
But how long are you contagious, when is working from home preferable to the office and at what point are you “so sick” that you should call in sick?
Cold symptoms: When to stay in the home office if possible
Many employees work, especially in the home office, even though they are sick (symbolic image).
© Westend61/Imago
If you work in a job that can be done from home, you may be able to switch to working from home if you have cold symptoms.
This not only has the advantage that struggling employees are spared, but above all that colleagues are protected from possible infection.
Even if you follow hygiene measures such as regular hand washing and coughing and sneezing rules, you can still spread viruses in the event of respiratory infections, as these are mainly transmitted through aerosols (tiny droplets suspended in the air).
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According to the
Robert Koch Institute (RKI)
, the following applies to a classic respiratory infection : stay at home for three to five days and avoid direct contact with other people until symptoms such as a sore throat, cough and runny nose have significantly improved.
For a real flu (influenza), the guideline is one week, or as long as the symptoms of fever, body aches, cough and sore throat last, because that is how long viruses that can reproduce are excreted.
Infections can be spread: when is it better to report sick?
Anyone who drags themselves to work while sick not only risks infecting others.
An infection can also lead to employees being less productive and making mistakes.
Many people don't want to burden their colleagues with extra work and have a guilty conscience.
However, when the first signs of illness appear, it is usually not possible to estimate how serious the illness will become.
The symptoms may worsen at work.
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In addition, there is a risk of “carrying on” an infection; the illness then lasts longer than usual, symptoms become particularly severe or even dangerous complications such as myocarditis with cardiac arrest and shortness of breath occur.
When you have a cold, the mucous membranes are particularly susceptible to other pathogens.
A “superinfection” can occur due to a secondary bacterial infection.
Sinusitis and pneumonia are also possible consequences of a spread infection.
When you are legally considered “unable to work”.
By law, a person is considered unfit for work if, “due to illness, they can no longer perform the activities they previously performed or can only do so at the risk of the illness worsening.” A doctor usually decides when this is the case.
Many companies only require a doctor's note from the third day of illness.
Whether you call in sick beforehand is your own discretion and also depends on the type of job and current tasks.
The following checklist can help with the assessment:
Do I have severe symptoms of illness, pain or do I feel weak?
Do my symptoms make me feel like I need rest and sleep?
Can I still concentrate with these symptoms?
Is there a risk that I will make mistakes?
Are my symptoms potentially contagious?
Then either switch to working from home or, if not possible, stay away from work to protect others.quo
Did the doctor advise you not to work?
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.