Common Sicknesses in Minnesota and When It’s Safe to Return to School or Work
Seasonal sickness has arrived in Minnesota. Coughs and sneezes are common at work, and children are coming home with complaints of not feeling well. Knowing when to return to school or work can be confusing, especially since advice on being “no longer contagious” often doesn’t align with what’s practical. Many illnesses are still contagious after symptoms improve, but isolating for the entire period isn’t realistic for most people.
That’s why most public health guidance takes a balanced approach: If you or your child is fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and is feeling improved, it’s generally safe to return to school or work. This guideline helps minimize the spread of illness during the most contagious phase while keeping expectations realistic for families and workplaces. Next, let’s look at guidance for some of the most common illnesses in Minnesota.
Colds and Upper Respiratory Infections
Most common colds are viral and spread through coughing, sneezing, or touching contaminated surfaces. Rest, hydration, and good hand hygiene are key. Stay home if you have a fever or worsening symptoms.
Strep Throat
Moving on from viral illness, strep is a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics. Typically, you can return to school or work 12 hours after starting antibiotics and you’re fever-free for 24 hours—even though bacteria may persist longer in small amounts.
Influenza (Flu)
Flu symptoms usually come on quickly with fever, body aches, and fatigue. People are most contagious during the first few days of illness. It’s best to stay home until you’ve been fever-free-
free for 24 hours and are feeling better.
Flu symptoms usually come on quickly with fever, body aches, and fatigue. People are most contagious during the first few days of illness. It’s best to stay home until you’ve been fever-free-
free for 24 hours and are feeling better.
COVID-19
COVID-19 continues to spread easily. After the flu, let’s address COVID-19 specifically. Follow CDC guidance: stay home until fever-free for 24 hours and improving. Some people may remain contagious for several days beyond this, so added precautions, like masking and handwashing, are wise after returning to work or school. Norovirus (Stomach Bug) This highly contagious virus spreads through contact with infected surfaces or stool particles. Avoid food prep and close contact with others until symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea) have resolved and you’re feeling well.
COVID-19 continues to spread easily. After the flu, let’s address COVID-19 specifically. Follow CDC guidance: stay home until fever-free for 24 hours and improving. Some people may remain contagious for several days beyond this, so added precautions, like masking and handwashing, are wise after returning to work or school. Norovirus (Stomach Bug) This highly contagious virus spreads through contact with infected surfaces or stool particles. Avoid food prep and close contact with others until symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea) have resolved and you’re feeling well.
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Both viral and bacterial pink eye spread easily through eye secretions and contact. While antibiotics may help with bacterial pink eye, you remain contagious while discharge or redness persists. Practice good hand hygiene and avoid touching your eyes.
Both viral and bacterial pink eye spread easily through eye secretions and contact. While antibiotics may help with bacterial pink eye, you remain contagious while discharge or redness persists. Practice good hand hygiene and avoid touching your eyes.
Mononucleosis (Mono)
Mono spreads through saliva and can cause fatigue, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. People can shed the virus for months, but most transmission occurs while symptoms are active.
Rest and gradual return to activity are important for recovery.
Mono spreads through saliva and can cause fatigue, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. People can shed the virus for months, but most transmission occurs while symptoms are active.
Rest and gradual return to activity are important for recovery.
Care When You Need It — In Person or Online
When you or your child isn’t feeling well, The Urgency Room makes it easy to get same-day answers quickly, offering both online and in-person care. ER-trained providers at The Urgency Room can assess many illnesses virtually and, if needed, direct you to the nearest location for testing, including strep, flu, and COVID swabs. Online care offers medical expertise without the wait. Dr. Kristi Trussell is an ER physician and Assistant Medical Director at The Urgency Room, with four Twin Cities locations in Golden Valley, Woodbury, Eagan, and Vadnais Heights.
When you or your child isn’t feeling well, The Urgency Room makes it easy to get same-day answers quickly, offering both online and in-person care. ER-trained providers at The Urgency Room can assess many illnesses virtually and, if needed, direct you to the nearest location for testing, including strep, flu, and COVID swabs. Online care offers medical expertise without the wait. Dr. Kristi Trussell is an ER physician and Assistant Medical Director at The Urgency Room, with four Twin Cities locations in Golden Valley, Woodbury, Eagan, and Vadnais Heights.
Dr. Kristi Trussell is an ER physician and Assistant Medical Director of The Urgency Room
Related Article: How To Know If Your Child Has Seasonal Allergies
