When can you go back to work or school if you have the flu?

How do people die from the flu? The influenza virus can be fatal in many different ways. It can cause inflammation in the lungs and make it impossible for enough oxygen to make it into the bloodstream, leading to death. According to the Mayo Clinic, those with chronic illnesses, as well as older adults, are more susceptible to bacteria that cause pneumonia, a complication that can kill. The virus can be fatal due to inflammation of the heart, muscle or brain tissues. According to the Centers for Disease

While battling the flu, your body needs couch time to rest and recover. After a few days, maybe you are getting very bored with day time TV and eager to get back into your routine.

But colds and the flu are very contagious and it’s important not to rush going back to school and work.

This year is a particularly harsh flu season

Here’s some guidelines on how long you should stay home:

How long to stay to home

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (except to get medical care or other necessities). Your fever should be gone for at least 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol. You should stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.

Check with your child's daycare or school before sending your child back. Many have rules and it’s generally at least a full day after they don't have any fever without medication.

Flu is serious business. (Dreamstime)

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How long is a person with the flu contagious?

In general, about a week. People with the flu may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7  days after. However, children and people with weakened immune systems can infect others for longer periods of time, especially if they still have symptoms.

Chicken soup, the classic get-well-soon meal. (Leslie Brenner/Dallas Morning News/TNS)

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What should you do while while sick: 

Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. If you must leave home, for example to get medical care, wear a face mask if you have one, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Wash your hands often to keep from spreading flu to others.

MORE: How to protect your family from the flu at school, work

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READ: The agony of ER waits: Flu season is making them worse

READ: Father of Coweta teen who died of flu asks, "Why?"

Click this link to check out the wait times: https://hospitals.myajc.com/