With all the current news regarding a bad flu season, it's more important now than ever that employees know when to stay home from work. While that scratchy throat and runny nose could just be a case of allergies, it could also be a sign of something worse. Here is a good guideline that will help you determine whether you should call in sick.

REASONS TO STAY HOME

1. Fever. This one is just common sense. A fever is the body's way of dealing with a more serious problem and is often the sign of an infectious disease. Any temperature above 100.3 degrees is considered a fever. You should take special care when a fever is accompanied by body aches, sore throat, runny nose, cough, and fatigue, as these could be signs of the flu. Once the fever has broken, most people can return to work within 24 to 48 hours.

2. Severe colds. Colds are most contagious within the first two days that symptoms begin to show themselves. So when you drag yourself into work with that stuffy head and runny nose, you risk infecting all your co-workers. If you absolutely must go to work, take extra caution. Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough as not infect others. Be sure to wash your hands often or use hand sanitizers.