Should You Really Go to Work With a Fever?

You wake up, check your temperature, and see a number that's higher than normal.

Then the questions start.

Should I call in sick?

Can I work from home?

Is it okay if I just take something and push through the day?

A fever is more than an inconvenient number on a thermometer. It's often a sign that your body is responding to an infection or another underlying problem.

If you have a fever and feel unwell, giving your body time to recover may be more useful than trying to power through a normal workday.

What Is a Fever?

Your body normally keeps its temperature within a relatively narrow range.

A fever happens when your body's internal temperature rises above its normal range, often as part of the immune response to an infection.

Fever can occur with illnesses such as:

• Colds

• Flu

• COVID-19

• Other respiratory infections

• Stomach infections

• Some bacterial infections

A fever by itself doesn't tell you exactly what's causing the illness.

That's why it's important to consider your other symptoms too.

Why Does a Fever Make You Feel So Bad?

A fever can come with much more than feeling hot.

You may experience:

• Chills

• Sweating

• Headache

• Body aches

• Fatigue

• Weakness

• Reduced appetite

• Feeling generally unwell

Even if your job doesn't require physical activity, these symptoms can make concentrating and completing normal tasks difficult.

If you're struggling to stay awake or think clearly, that's a good reason to prioritize recovery.

Is It Better to Stay Home?

If you have a fever and symptoms suggesting an infectious illness, staying home can make sense for two reasons.

Your body needs recovery time

Rest gives you an opportunity to recover rather than spending energy trying to maintain your normal routine.

You may be contagious

If an infection is causing your fever, going into a workplace could expose other people.

This is particularly important if you work closely with coworkers, customers, patients, children, or people who may be more vulnerable to illness.

What If You Can Work From Home?

Working remotely may reduce the risk of exposing other people, but it doesn't automatically mean you should work.

Ask yourself:

Can I concentrate?

Do I have enough energy to work normally?

Am I constantly needing to lie down or rest?

Would working make me feel significantly worse?

If you're too sick to function normally, working from home can still be too much.

Being away from the office isn't the same thing as being recovered.

Should You Take Medicine and Go to Work?

Some people take a fever-reducing medication and assume they're ready to return to normal activities.

That's not necessarily the best approach.

A medication may temporarily reduce your fever or discomfort without addressing the underlying illness.

If you need medication simply to feel well enough to get through a workday, your body may still need rest.

Follow medication directions carefully, and speak with a healthcare professional if you're unsure what is appropriate for you.

What Can You Do While You Recover?

If you're staying home with a fever, focus on the basics.

Drink fluids

Fever and sweating can increase fluid loss.

Keep water or another appropriate drink nearby and drink regularly.

Get plenty of rest

Your body may need more sleep than usual while you're sick.

Eat when you can

You don't necessarily need a large meal, but try to maintain some nutrition if you're able.

Keep your environment comfortable

Wear comfortable clothing and avoid making yourself excessively hot or cold.

Monitor how you're feeling

Pay attention to whether symptoms are improving or becoming more severe.

When Should You Contact a Doctor?

A fever doesn't always require medical treatment.

However, consider speaking with a healthcare provider if:

• The fever persists.

• Your symptoms are getting worse.

• You're unusually weak or exhausted.

• You have significant pain.

• You're struggling to stay hydrated.

• You have symptoms that concern you.

• You have a health condition that makes infections more concerning.

The appropriate next step can depend on your age, medical history, symptoms, medications, and the suspected cause of the fever.

When Is a Fever an Emergency?

Seek urgent medical attention if a fever occurs with serious symptoms such as:

• Difficulty breathing

• Chest pain

• Confusion

• Fainting

• Seizures

• Severe dehydration

• A severe headache with concerning neurological symptoms

• Significant difficulty staying awake

These symptoms shouldn't be managed by simply taking a fever reducer and waiting for the fever to disappear.

Could It Be the Flu or COVID-19?

Possibly.

Fever can occur with both influenza and COVID-19, as well as several other infections.

Symptoms can overlap considerably, including:

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Congestion

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Muscle aches

If you have respiratory symptoms, a healthcare provider can help determine whether testing or additional evaluation may be appropriate.

Can You Get Medical Advice Online?

For many non-emergency illnesses, a virtual healthcare appointment can be a convenient way to discuss your symptoms.

A healthcare provider may ask about:

• Your temperature

• When the fever started

• Other symptoms

• Recent exposure to illness

• Medications you're taking

• Your medical history

• Whether symptoms are improving or worsening

Based on your situation, they can recommend home care, testing, treatment, or an in-person evaluation when necessary.

If you have emergency symptoms, seek appropriate urgent or emergency care instead of relying on a virtual appointment.

What If Your Employer Needs a Doctor's Note?

Some workplaces have policies requiring medical documentation after an absence.

If you're sick and your employer requests a doctor's note, a healthcare provider can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether documentation is appropriate.

If your workplace provides a specific form, have it available during your medical appointment.

The documentation requirements can vary between employers, so check your workplace policy as well.

Don't Judge Your Illness by the Number Alone

A temperature reading is useful, but it isn't the whole story.

Two people with the same temperature may feel completely different.

One person may have mild symptoms and still be functioning normally.

Another may have severe fatigue, chills, body aches, and difficulty concentrating.

Look at the complete picture.

How do you feel?

What other symptoms do you have?

Are they improving?

Could you safely perform your job?

Could you expose other people?

Those questions can be more useful than focusing on one number.

When Is It Reasonable to Return to Work?

Your return should depend on how you're feeling and your workplace's illness policies.

If you're still significantly unwell, returning too quickly may make recovery harder and could expose others if you're contagious.

As your symptoms improve and you're able to perform normal activities again, you can gradually return to your routine.

If you're unsure when it's appropriate to return, a healthcare provider can help you make a decision based on your symptoms.

Final Thoughts

A fever is your body's signal that something may be going on—not something you necessarily need to hide so you can make it through another workday.

If you have a fever and feel sick, give yourself permission to rest.

Stay hydrated, monitor your symptoms, and avoid close contact with others when you may be contagious.

And if your fever is persistent, your symptoms are getting worse, or you're experiencing serious symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain, confusion, or severe dehydration, seek medical attention.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is give your body time to recover.