Six Common Office Diseases And Health Conditions That Can Put You On Leave

The office is a place where you come in contact with all sorts of different people. On a normal day you will come into direct contact with your colleagues and clients, making the chances of contracting illnesses quite high. Once you fall sick, some of these common office diseases can put you on leave for several days and you may be required to get a medical certificate online to get paid for the time off. The easiest way to obtain one is via online GP in Australia. At Prime Medic we offer you this service from the comfort of your own home, it has the added benefit of avoiding additional illnesses whilst waiting to see doctors in clinics.

Help to keep your work performance at its best, with our handy guide to the six most common office illnesses to watch out for:

1. Influenza or Common Flu

Influenza is a common disease that affects your throat, lungs and overall respiratory system. It is a viral infection, so the infectiousness of this disease is high. The common symptoms are mild to severe headache, fever, fatigue, muscle pain and cough. The contagious period for influenza is around 1-7 days, so if you catch it you must see a doctor. It is safer for yourself, and those around you, to make an appointment with an online GP via Prime Medic.

2. Stomach Flu

Stomach flu or Gastroenteritis is a viral infection that affects the stomach and intestines, causing diarrhoea, nausea and stomach cramps. It is mainly caused by two viruses, namely norovirus and rotavirus. If treated in time, stomach flu can be reduced to 2 - 6 days, so you can get back to work without too much delay.

3. Common Cold

A cold is arguably the most common infectious disease amongst all age groups. It is a viral infection and the most common cause is the rhinovirus. This virus can spread through the moisture droplets in the air and enters the body via the nose or mouth when the person inhales infected air. So if one person has a cold in the office, and you come in contact with the person, the chances of getting infected yourself are high. If you have contracted the common cold, you may suffer from a mild fever, stuffy nose, congestion and coughing. The infection is at its peak for around 1 - 4 days.

4. Skin Diseases

At the office you may come in close contact with other colleagues, so it is easy to get infectious disorders like skin diseases. These infections spread when you come into contact with bacteria, which is easily possible in an office environment when sharing food or a toilet. To save others at the office from getting infected, the best option is to take a few days off and consult a skin specialist urgently.

5. Stress

An immense workload, lack of sleep and an improper diet can cause stress. Usually, people do not consider stress as a disease until it becomes significant. However if you feel stressed at work, speak with a manager to discuss the issue and even take a few days off. You can also visit a mental health expert, or an online GP, to find out whether medications or counselling could help.

6. Musculoskeletal Diseases

Musculoskeletal diseases are quite common amongst people who have to sit in one position for several hours at work. Due to improper posture and continuous pressure on bones and muscles, it is possible to develop mild to chronic pain in your muscles and joints. Some of the most commonly affected areas are the neck, lower back, shoulders, knee joints and thigh muscles. Treatment of mild musculoskeletal diseases may include massage and physiotherapy. However, if the condition is acute, you may also need prescription pain relief and other medications.

What Should You Do If You Become Infected?

Most of these common diseases are infectious, so if you are feeling sick the first thing to do is take leave from work and meet a GP or a specialist doctor. This helps to treat you as soon as possible, whilst keeping others at the office safe.

However if you are sick and cannot, or should not, visit a doctor physically, Prime Medic’s online GP in Australia services can be of great benefit. Simply enrol on our website, book an appointment with an online GP and meet your doctor via video chat for live consultations and prescriptions.

Can I Get A Medical Certificate Online?

Most employers will require a medical certificate to validate your sick leave. Following your online GP consultation, you will be able to download a valid medical certificate. According to your health condition, your doctor will prescribe medications and may suggest a rest period for you. The Prime Medic service helps you to obtain a medical certificate easily to forward to your employer, without having to leave your own home.

So, don't take unnecessary risks and expose others to illness by going to the office while you are sick. Take leave from work, contact an online GP and get a medical certificate online.