Workers warned to stay at home when ill with a cold or flu

More than a third of workers think it is unacceptable to take a day off when experiencing symptoms of colds and flu.

Thirty-seven per cent of employees would refuse to stay at home if they were struck down with a cold or the flu, a poll of 10,000 adults across the UK found.

The survey, conducted by natural cold remedy Kaloba, also found just 10 per cent of those working in the health sector would take a day off when experiencing symptoms of infection. Only nine per cent of teachers said they would stay at home.

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Experts have warned people suffering from bugs not to spread infection by going into work. Dr Michael Dixon, GP and chairman of the NHS Alliance, said: “When it comes to a cold or the flu, we’re at our most contagious at the first sneeze. However, at this stage the damage to the people around us has often already been done – the incubation period for the virus can be up to two days before symptoms occur. If you’re suffering from cold and flu symptoms, you should stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids to help increase your recovery time and prevent the spread of infection.”

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