Should I go to work if I have a sore throat?

September 24, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many respiratory illnesses are most contagious during the first few days of symptoms. When you are feeling unwell and asking, 'Should I go to work if I have a sore throat?', it's important to consider both your health and the well-being of others.

Quick Summary

Deciding whether to go to work with a sore throat depends on its cause, severity, and potential contagiousness. It is best to stay home if you have a fever, a severe infection like strep throat, or if your symptoms make you feel too unwell or unproductive. Mild cases from non-contagious causes like allergies may be acceptable with caution, but always prioritize rest and protecting your colleagues.

Key Points

Assess the cause: Determine if your sore throat is from a contagious illness like a cold, flu, or strep, or a non-contagious cause like allergies or dry air.
Prioritize contagiousness: If there's a chance you're contagious, staying home is the best course of action to protect your coworkers and community.
Check for fever: A fever is a key sign of an active infection. If you have one, do not go to work and wait at least 24 hours after it's gone without medication before returning.
Listen to your body: If you feel too unwell to be productive, your body needs rest. Pushing through can prolong your illness and reduce your performance.
Consider your work environment: If you work closely with vulnerable populations or in high-contact settings, your responsibility to stay home is heightened.
Communicate clearly: Inform your manager that you are unwell and will be taking a sick day. You do not need to share specific medical details.
Explore remote work: For mild, non-contagious symptoms, remote work may be a viable option, if your job allows it.

When to stay home vs. toughing it out

Experiencing a sore throat can feel like a minor inconvenience, but it's often a sign that your body is fighting off an infection. The decision to go to work isn't always straightforward and requires careful consideration. A sore throat could be the result of a variety of conditions, ranging from a common cold to more serious issues like strep throat or COVID-19. Before you head to the office, it's crucial to assess the underlying cause and your overall symptoms. The social responsibility to prevent the spread of illness, especially in close office environments, is more important than ever.

Assessing the cause of your sore throat

The reason behind your sore throat is the most important factor in determining whether to stay home. Here are some of the most common causes and how to assess them:

Common Cold: A sore throat is often one of the first signs of a common cold. If it's accompanied by other symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, and general fatigue, you are likely contagious. While symptoms may feel mild, you can easily spread the virus to coworkers.
Strep Throat: Caused by a bacterial infection, strep throat is highly contagious. It often presents with a sudden, severe sore throat, fever, and sometimes white patches on your tonsils. If you suspect strep, you should get tested and stay home until you've been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours and are fever-free.
COVID-19: A sore throat is a known symptom of COVID-19. Given its high transmissibility, you should get tested if you have a sore throat, along with other symptoms like fever, cough, or fatigue. You should follow isolation guidelines as recommended by public health authorities, regardless of vaccination status.
Allergies: A sore throat from postnasal drip due to allergies is not contagious. If this is the only symptom and you feel otherwise well, going to work is typically fine. However, consider if your sneezing or coughing might still be disruptive or cause concern to others.
Dry Air or Environmental Irritants: If you wake up with a scratchy throat due to dry air or pollution, it's not contagious. Using a humidifier or staying hydrated can help, and it's generally safe to go to work.

The risk of presenteeism

Presenteeism, or the practice of coming to work while sick, is a significant issue. Many feel pressured to work through illness, fearing missed deadlines or the perception of being less dedicated. However, presenteeism can have negative consequences for both you and your workplace.

For your health: Pushing yourself when you are sick can prolong your recovery and may lead to more severe illness. Rest is a crucial part of the healing process, and working through an illness deprives your body of the time it needs to recover fully.
For your coworkers: When you come to work sick, you risk infecting your colleagues. This can lead to a cascade of illness, reducing overall team productivity and potentially impacting vulnerable individuals who may have compromised immune systems. According to a study cited by Sharp HealthCare, a sick employee can contaminate a large percentage of office surfaces in just a few hours.
For your productivity: Your performance is likely to suffer when you are unwell. Illness can cause a lack of concentration, fatigue, and general discomfort, making it harder to complete tasks effectively. A sick day to rest and recover can be far more productive in the long run than several days of half-hearted work.

Steps to take when deciding

Check your temperature: A fever is a strong indicator of an active infection. If you have a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, stay home until you've been fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication.
Evaluate other symptoms: A sore throat is rarely an isolated symptom of a contagious illness. Look for other signs like coughing, sneezing, body aches, or headache. The presence of multiple symptoms, especially fever, is a clear sign to stay home.
Consider your role and workplace: If you work in a high-contact environment like a hospital, food service, or childcare, the risk of spreading illness is much higher. Your responsibility to protect others should outweigh your desire to push through.
Communicate with your employer: Let your manager know you are unwell. You don't need to share specific medical details, but clear communication helps them plan and manage your workload. Many companies have flexible sick leave policies, especially post-pandemic, that encourage employees to stay home when ill.
Utilize remote work options: If your job allows, working from home can be a good compromise for mild, non-contagious symptoms. This allows you to manage your health while still meeting your responsibilities, all while protecting your coworkers.

Workplace illness comparison: Mild sore throat vs. more severe symptoms


Symptom Profile	Primary Concern	Contagious Risk	Productivity	Recommendation
Mild sore throat from allergies/dry air	Discomfort, irritation	Low	Moderate	Go to work, manage with lozenges and hydration
Sore throat + runny nose, no fever	Common cold, viral	High	Decreased	Consider remote work or stay home if high-contact role
Sore throat + fever	Active infection (flu, COVID-19, strep)	Very High	Poor	Stay home until fever-free for 24 hours without medication
Sore throat + difficulty swallowing	Severe infection (strep)	Very High	Poor	Stay home, see a doctor, start antibiotics
Persistent sore throat (>7 days)	Potential underlying issue	Varies	Varies	Stay home, consult a doctor

A note on seeking medical advice

While this guide provides general advice, it's not a substitute for professional medical consultation. If your sore throat is severe, persists for several days, or is accompanied by high fever, rash, or swollen glands, it's essential to see a healthcare provider. A timely diagnosis can prevent more serious complications and help you recover faster.

The importance of rest for a quicker recovery

Ultimately, giving your body the rest it needs is the most effective way to recover. Sleep allows your immune system to function at its best, fighting off the infection more efficiently. Forcing yourself to work not only risks others but also prolongs your own suffering. Taking a day or two off at the beginning of an illness can often prevent it from becoming a more serious, long-term problem.

Learn more about staying home when sick from the official CDC website.

Frequently Asked Questions

A mild sore throat can be contagious, especially if it's caused by a virus like the common cold. It's often most contagious in the early stages, even before you feel very sick. If you have a sore throat along with other cold or flu symptoms, you should assume you are contagious.

If your sore throat is from allergies and you have no other symptoms of illness, it is not contagious. In this case, you can likely go to work, but you may want to take precautions to minimize coughing or sneezing that could cause alarm to your colleagues.

With strep throat, you should stay home until you have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours and are fever-free. This is to ensure you are no longer contagious and to prevent spreading the bacterial infection.

While some employers may put pressure on employees, it is crucial to prioritize your health and the safety of your coworkers. Explain that you are not well enough to be productive and that you do not want to risk spreading a potential illness. Many companies have policies that support staying home when sick.

If you have a mild sore throat and your job allows for remote work, it can be a good option. This allows you to rest and recover while still being productive, without exposing your coworkers to potential germs. This is particularly suitable for non-contagious causes like allergies.

You should definitely stay home if a sore throat is accompanied by a fever, a persistent or hacking cough, body aches, vomiting, or diarrhea. These are strong indicators of a contagious illness that requires rest and isolation.

Yes, plenty of rest is essential for recovery. When you sleep, your body's immune system works most effectively to fight off infection. Pushing yourself when sick can prolong your illness and may lead to a more severe infection.