Should I Go to Work If I Have a Sore Throat? – Urgent Care Omaha

After the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people all over the world are giving their health a second thought. A cough isn’t just a cough anymore, and a sneeze in public can get you more than a couple of nasty looks if you didn’t cover up. If you have a sore throat, in most cases it is best to avoid contact with other people. But, should you go to work if you have a sore throat? Let’s explore.

Should I Go to Work If I Have a Sore Throat?

A sore throat is one of the most common general symptoms of illness, and it can mean many different things. Nobody wants to get sick, and nobody wants to say that they are the reason most of the office has come down with a bug. Here’s more about what could be causing your sore throat, and the essential answer to what you should do about work.

The short, simple answer is DO NOT go to work if you have a sore throat, especially if you aren’t sure why.

A sore throat could mean the presence of an underlying infection. Due to the large list of conditions associated with a sore throat as one of the symptoms, you should never take the risk of exposing others and spreading infection.

If you have had a sore throat for any amount of time, make an appointment with your doctor or stop in at any of our four urgent care clinics in Omaha and Bellevue.

What Causes a Sore Throat?

There are many potential causes for a sore throat. Hayfever and allergies can be an irritant for the throat which causes inflammation, redness, and tenderness. Sometimes pollution can do the same and leaves the throat feeling inflamed and itchy.

Acid reflux and indigestion-related conditions can push stomach acid into the throat, and cause redness and inflammation. Asthma can cause a sore throat, too, as the airways and other channels are inflamed when a reaction occurs. Colds and flu are both types of common infections that could cause the same discomfort in the throat, but there are also hundreds of other viruses that could be the culprit.

There are also more serious infections that can cause a sore throat and can include respiratory infections, ear infections, and more. There’s almost no way to know the cause of your sore throat unless you have been to a doctor to diagnose the issue.

How Do I Know For Sure Why I Have a Sore Throat? 

A sore throat might be caused by many different things, and it’s impossible to know unless you have been examined and/or tested. Most sore throats are caused by colds, flu, hay fever, and general infection. However, this does not mean that anyone should assume they know why they have a sore throat.

People with serious infections and symptoms should schedule an appointment with their doctor or visit a local urgent care clinic as soon as possible.

 What Should I Do If I Have a Sore Throat?

It’s impossible to know precisely the reason for a sore throat unless you schedule an appointment with your doctor or visit a walk-in clinic. Most causes of a sore throat are infectious, though not all of them (e.g. allergies and hayfever). Noninfectious causes mean that you do not have to stay home from work, but infectious ones do.

Is There a Home Treatment for a Sore Throat?

There are many home remedies that can relieve the symptoms of a sore throat, though these remedies do not cure the underlying cause of the sore throat. Home treatments can supplement your existing treatment plan, but it’s still advised to see a doctor to treat the underlying causes.

Should I Call My Boss if I’m Not Going to Work?

After you have seen a doctor, if their expert opinion is that you should stay home from work, the appointment can be accompanied by a signed letter. The signed letter from your doctor is proof of your condition and should be forwarded to your supervisor or employer.

By law, companies have to grant sick leave to employees for certain conditions. Most companies would not want to put the office at risk for potential infection or put an employee at risk of getting sicker as a result of their job.

Don’t be afraid to call in sick and take a sick day. If you have a fever that accompanies your sore throat, wait at least 24 hours until your fever is gone before returning to work. If you have been diagnosed with the flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends staying home for at least 4-5 days from the onset of symptoms.

Urgent Care Omaha Walk-In Clinics and in Bellevue, NE

Our staff works to provide prompt, personal, and professional care for all of our patients. We strive to provide the attention patients need in as quick a time as possible. Urgent Care Clinics in Omaha & Bellevue, Nebraska has three locations in the Omaha metropolitan area. Our three walk-in clinics are:

Disclaimer
The information contained on this webpage is for educational purposes as well as to provide general information and general understanding of the pertinent medical issue only, not to provide a specific diagnosis. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. By using this blog/web site you understand there is no doctor patient relationship between you and the blog/web site publisher. The information included on this site should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a licensed medical professional in your state. Neither Urgent Care Network, its subsidiaries, affiliates, assignees or successors in interest, nor any other party assume liability for loss or damage due to reliance on content of this blog/web site. If you are experiencing a severe medical issue, you should seek emergency assistance immediately.