Coping With Fever And Pain In The Workplace

Dealing with fever and pain while trying to maintain productivity in the workplace can be challenging. However, with the right strategies – and some help from Panado^®, it’s possible to manage these symptoms without compromising work performance.

Recognising The Signs

Your head is congested, your throat is sore, and your body aches as if you’ve been hit by a truck. You feel terrible enough to stay home, but you’re concerned that work obligations don’t allow you that option. When deciding whether to stay home, evaluate your symptoms. If you are sneezing, have a runny or stuffy nose, watery and itchy eyes, itchy sinuses, throat or ear canals, ear congestion or postnasal drainage, it could be allergies.^1a Allergy symptoms are caused by a response in the immune system and don’t need to keep you from working, as they aren’t contagious.^1b

However, symptoms indicating a contagious illness include:²

• Fevers 38°C and higher
• Recurring vomiting or diarrhoea
• Drainage from one or both eyes
• Draining or moist wound
• A hacking cough

If you experience these symptoms or feel generally unwell, avoid going to the office and stay at home until a fever and other flu-like symptoms (chills, sweating, flushed skin) have subsided. It’s best to consult with a health care practitioner should your symptoms worsen.

Communicating With Your Employer

It is important to communicate openly with your employer about your condition. If you fall unexpectedly ill and need to notify your boss on short notice, make sure to text them immediately and do your best to manage your absence.

Self-Care Strategies

If you’re dealing with a cold or flu caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t help,^3a but there are measures you can take to alleviate your symptoms. Here are some self-care tips to help you feel better:

Stay Home and Rest: Viruses like influenza hit hard and fast. Extra sleep can help your immune system function at its best and possibly shorten the duration of your illness. Getting enough sleep every night can help prevent future illnesses.^3b

Hydrate and Humidify: Increase your fluid intake by drinking more water, warm tea, or broth. Staying hydrated helps keep your respiratory system moist and thins mucus, preventing it from building up in your lungs and causing infections. If you feel congested, spend time in a warm, steamy bathroom. Let the shower run hot and close the door. Using a humidifier or vaporiser in the room where you’re resting can also help if the air in your home is dry.^3c

How Panado^® Can Help

While there may be no cure for your illness, medications such as Panado^® can help alleviate symptoms.^3d Panado^® can help reduce fever and assist with alleviating pain so you can get back to work. The range includes Panado^® Capsules⁴, Panado^® Tablets⁵ and Panado^® Effervescent Tablets⁶ which are ideal for those that struggle with taking capsules or tablets.

Panado^® products are available from Baby City, Pick n Pay, Checkers including Hypers, Shoprite, Clicks, Dis-Chem and Independent Pharmacies. For more information, visit https://panado.co.za/ and join the conversations on Facebook.

References:

1. Family allergy & asthma. Allergy symptoms VS COVID-19 symptoms. Available from: https://familyallergy.com/general/allergy-symptoms-vs-covid-19-symptoms/. Last accessed July 2024.
2. Health Care. Is what I have contagious? Available from: https://www.muhealth.org/our-stories/what-i-have-contagious. Last accessed July 2024.
3. UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY. How to feel better: Tips for self-care when sick. Available from: https://www.upstate.edu/whatsup/2020/0515-how-to-feel-better-tips-for-self-care-when-sick.php. Last accessed July 2024.
4. Panado^® Capsules approved professional information, August 1984
5. Panado^® Tablets approved professional information, July 2016.
6. Panado^® Effervescent (Tablet) approved professional information, July 2016.