Cold & Flu Symptoms 5 Things to Do When You're Sick By Kristina Duda, RN Kristina Duda, RN Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 26, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH LinkedIn Elizabeth I. Molina Ortiz, MD, is board-certified in family medicine. She is a primary care provider with Atrius Health in Boston and was the medical director of Charles River Community Health. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Life goes on when you're sick. But if you have cold symptoms, there are some things worth skipping, as well as "to dos" that can help you get better. Your body needs rest to recover. And while it's important to focus on your health, you should also be sure you're doing all you can to keep those around you from catching what you have. These five tips will help you figure out what you should do when you're sick—and what can wait until you're on the mend. Understand When to Call a Healthcare Provider John Fedele / Blend Images / Getty Images Sometimes it's fine to rest and let your cold symptoms pass. Other times, it's a better idea to contact your healthcare provider. Some symptoms worth calling your healthcare provider about include: Significant abdominal pain that's persisted for 24 to 48 hoursA headache accompanied by fever, a stiff neck, or persistent vomiting or diarrheaA sore throat that makes swallowing difficultPainful coughing or chest tightness when you breatheA fever over 100.4 degrees F accompanied by congestion Symptoms of Influenza Spare Your Coworkers and Call Out Tom Merton / Getty Images It can be tough to know when to call in sick. But if you have these symptoms, it's better for you and your coworkers if you stay home and rest: FeverCoughingVomitingDiarrheaContagious rashExhaustion When to Call in Sick to Work Don't Be Afraid to Skip Your Workout MjDigitalArt / E+ / Getty Images Exercise is important, but there are times when it could do more harm than good—both for you and those around you. If you have a fever, skip exercise until it breaks. If you have a few cold symptoms but otherwise feel OK, you may be able to get some light exercise in if you feel inclined, but it's best to avoid the gym so you don't spread your illness to those around you. Always listen to your body and remember that rest is important, too. Should You Exercise When You’re Sick? Save the ER for Emergencies ERproductions Ltd / Blend Images / Getty Images A lot of people go to the emergency room when they have the flu, even though they don't really need to be there. Although influenza makes you feel terrible, chances are good that it's not a true emergency. The following are signs and symptoms that should prompt a trip to the hospital: Difficulty breathingShortness of breathChest pain or severe abdominal painSevere muscle painConfusionSudden dizzinessSevere vomiting or vomiting that won't stopNot urinatingFever or cough that worsens or comes back after improving If you're not experiencing these, but are just feeling miserable, try self-care strategies and see your healthcare provider if your symptoms persist. Avoiding the ER unless you need it helps save resources, but it also saves you from exposure more other germs. The 7 Things You Should Do When You Get the Flu Discuss Delaying Your Flu Shot patty_c / E + / Getty Images It's important to get a flu shot every year, but you may want to wait until you're healthy. In some cases, getting vaccinated while you're sick could make recovering from your illness take longer. Talk with your healthcare provider about your symptoms before getting vaccinated. If nothing else, getting a flu shot assists with herd immunity, which can prevent others with compromised immune systems from getting the flu. Who Should Not Get Flu Shots Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Looking to avoid getting the flu? Our free guide has everything you need to stay healthy this season. Sign up and get yours today. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 5 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. St sauver JL, Warner DO, Yawn BP, et al. Why patients visit their doctors: assessing the most prevalent conditions in a defined American population. Mayo Clin Proc. 2013;88(1):56-67. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2012.08.020 Morken T, Haukenes I, Magnussen LH. Attending work or not when sick - what makes the decision? A qualitative study among car mechanics. BMC Public Health. 2012;12:813. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-12-813 Dick NA, Diehl JJ. Febrile illness in the athlete. Sports Health. 2014;6(3):225-31. doi:10.1177/1941738113508373 Uscher-pines L, Pines J, Kellermann A, Gillen E, Mehrotra A. Emergency department visits for nonurgent conditions: Systematic literature review. Am J Manag Care. 2013;19(1):47-59. Parker AM, Vardavas R, Marcum CS, Gidengil CA. Conscious consideration of herd immunity in influenza vaccination decisions. Am J Prev Med. 2013;45(1):118-121. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2013.02.016 Additional Reading Canadian Paediatric Society. Exercise and febrile illnesses. Paediatr Child Health. 2007;12(10):885-92. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Common cold | Disease of the week. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stay home when you are sick. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Who should and who should NOT get a flu vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu: What to do if you get sick.