Experts Say Stay Home When Sick - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Experts Say Stay Home When Sick

It used to be a sign of toughness when someone would fight through flu symptoms to go to work or attend class.

Now health care experts warn that you could be doing more harm than good, not only to yourself but also to fellow workers and classmates too.

Guidelines being sent home to Erie school children ask that parents keep kids home if they show symptoms like a fever, severe cough, persistent runny nose or vomiting.

Anyone with those symptoms should stay home until symptom free for 24 hours.

That rule can apply to adults looking to get to work, too.

"Certainly when you still feel that way, stay home," that from Charlotte Berringer of the Erie County Health Department. "There's no glory in showing up for work and not being able to fully function."

As of January 8th there have been 318 reported cases of influenza in Erie County. Most of the kids being sent home from Erie schools this week have complained of stomach pains and vomiting.

Influenza is a respiratory virus and so there's probably another bug at work in local schools.