People with symptoms of an infectious illness should generally stay home until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication and their symptoms are mild and improving, according to University of Rochester Medical Center guidance.
Recommendations vary by illness and individual circumstances, so patients should follow advice from their health care providers before returning to work, school or other in-person activities.
An infectious disease is caused by bacteria or viruses, but it is considered contagious only when it can spread between people. Common routes include droplets released by coughing or sneezing and close contact such as kissing or sharing a drinking container.
Classrooms and offices can allow infections to spread quickly. Children are particularly likely to pick up viral and bacterial illnesses, including colds, norovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, rotavirus and strep throat.
URMC said people with a fever of 100 degrees or higher should remain home until 24 hours after the fever ends without fever-reducing medicine. Someone with flu symptoms but no fever should stay home for at least four days after symptoms begin.
People experiencing vomiting or diarrhea should remain home until they have gone 24 hours without those symptoms. The guidance also notes that a person may feel sick without being contagious, while some infections can spread before symptoms are obvious.
Preventive measures include cleaning and sanitizing contaminated surfaces, covering coughs and sneezes with an arm, and not sharing cups or utensils. Wearing a mask in crowded spaces can also reduce exposure.
URMC recommends staying current on age-appropriate vaccines, including flu, RSV and COVID-19 vaccines. RSV can be especially serious in very young children and adults older than 60.
Seasonal illnesses such as influenza, RSV, COVID-19 and stomach viruses become more common as winter approaches. Anyone with severe symptoms, a high-risk medical condition or uncertainty about returning to normal activity should seek individualized medical advice.
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