If you’ve ever caught a cold from a coworker, you’ve probably wished for some kind of walk-through germ detector that would keep everyone who’s ill from entering the workplace until they’re healthy again. But when the tables are turned and you’re the one with a bad cold, it’s sometimes tough to make the decision to stay home. Still, even if you have few—if any—paid sick days, it’s important to take care of yourself when you’re ill, and sometimes that means hunkering down in bed with a cup of tea for a few days. Your coworkers will thank you, and you’ll feel better sooner.
Cold Symptoms That Should Keep You Home
If you are diligent about hand washing, going to work with mild sniffles, sneezing, or a cough isn’t risky for yourself or your coworkers. But you should stay home if:- You have a fever
- You have a bad cough (frequent, loud, painful)
- You’re taking medication that makes you drowsy
- You’re just too tired or achy to function at work
Can You Cure a Cold?
While you can’t cure your cold with medication, you can treat your symptoms. As simple as it sounds, rest is important and effective. Conserving your energy gives your body a chance to recuperate, and staying at home (in bed) means you aren’t exposed to additional germs. Drinking lots of fluids is also important because you need to replace fluids your body is losing through nasal secretions and perspiration (if you have a fever). Skip alcohol and caffeine, since they hasten dehydration. Using a cool-mist humidifier may also help. As for vitamin C or over-the-counter zinc compounds, research has shown mixed results. They may help lessen the severity and length of your symptoms—but only if taken preventively, prior to coming down with the cold.For specific symptoms, these treatments may provide some relief:
| Symptom | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Cough | Tea with honey; sleeping in a room with a humidifier; dextromethorphan; antihistamines |
| Sore throat | Tea or hot water with honey; salt-water gargles |
| Aches, pains, fever | Single-ingredient acetaminophen or ibuprofen |
| Nasal congestion | Saline nose drops; humidified air; chicken soup; topical or oral decongestants (for up to three days); antihistamines in combination with decongestants |
If a cold has really laid you low, lasted for 10 days or more, or is accompanied by a persistent high fever, it may have developed into a bacterial secondary infection such as sinusitis that requires antibiotic treatment. In that case, you may want to see a doctor.
