Having a cold or the flu is no fun. But even worse is infecting others with the same disease. It is important to identify the symptoms that indicate you should stay home and avoid contact with others.

Read on to know more about the indications that you should stay home with the cold/flu.

Fever

If you have a temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius, you should stay home. A fever is a sign that your body is fighting an infection, and it may also mean that you are contagious.

Fever combined with other symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and body aches is a definite indication that you should stay away from other people.

Coughing and sneezing

A cough and a sneeze are both ways that your body tries to get rid of germs. Unfortunately, they can also spread germs to others. If you are coughing or sneezing a lot, you should stay home.

You should also cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing to avoid infecting others.

Body aches

If you have body aches, you may be contagious and should stay home. Body aches can be a sign of the flu, which is highly contagious. You should stay home until you recover to avoid spreading the virus to others.

Fatigue

If you feel tired all the time and have no energy, you may need to stay home. Fatigue is a symptom of many illnesses, including the flu. Staying home and getting plenty of rest can help you recover faster and avoid infecting others.

Stomach problems

If you have stomach problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, you should stay home. These symptoms can be caused by many different illnesses, including the flu, and can be highly contagious.

It is important to stay home and rest until you are symptom-free.

Headaches

A headache can be a sign of many illnesses, including the flu. If you have a headache, you should stay home and rest. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease the discomfort and help you recover faster.

Sore throat

A sore throat can be caused by many different illnesses, including the flu. If you have a sore throat, you should stay home and rest. Drink plenty of fluids and take over-the-counter pain relievers to help ease the discomfort.

Ear pain

Ear pain can be a symptom of many illnesses, including the flu. If you have ear pain, you should stay home. Rest and over-the-counter pain relievers may help ease the discomfort.

Shortness of breath

If you have trouble breathing, you should stay home and seek medical attention immediately. Shortness of breath can be a sign of a serious illness such as pneumonia, which may require hospitalization.

Worsening symptoms

If your symptoms worsen instead of improving after a few days, you should stay home and seek medical attention.

This is especially important if you have an underlying medical condition such as asthma or diabetes, which can make it harder for your body to fight off infections.