This will depend on how you feel, but you should wait until you are completely free of symptoms before returning to work – otherwise you will likely still be contagious and risk infecting others.6 It is also important to keep in mind that your body has to work hard to fight off the flu or a cold, which may leave you feeling fatigued after recovering. If you are feeling too fatigued to work, it is best that you stay home and get plenty of rest. Working while fatigued can make you less productive, and it can even be dangerous if your job consists of physical activity or heavy lifting. Recovery is an important step in fighting the flu or a cold, so it’s good to rest as much as you can. If you absolutely must go back to work while recovering from the flu or a cold, you can wear a face mask to avoid spreading germs to your co-workers or anyone you may come in contact with at work. If working remotely is an option for you, ask your supervisor if it’s possible to work from home for the week.