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 02, 2023 Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH LinkedIn Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH, is a board-certified specialist in family medicine and is the former medical director of a community health center. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print When you're sick, there are some things you can do that may help you get better faster, and a few things you should avoid doing, too. When you have cold symptoms, 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 lasted 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 breatheFor adults, a fever of 103 or higher; for infants, a fever of 100.4 or higher Symptoms of the Flu 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 fine, you may be able to get in some light exercise. Still, 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 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. 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 to other germs. How the Flu Is Treated 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 lead to a longer recovery time. 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 a Flu Shot Summary If you're sick, it's important to listen to your body and get plenty of rest. Colds and flu don't usually require a trip to the ER or even a visit to your healthcare provider. Exceptions include when you have symptoms like severe abdominal pain, persistant vomiting, or pain when you cough. If you are vomiting or have a fever, it's important to stay home so you don't pass your illness along to others. And if you haven't had your flu shot yet, it's a good idea to delay it until you are well. 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 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. By Kristina Duda, RN Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit