Is it even possible to work while sick?

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I've only been continuously employed for a year, and I don't get sick very often. But now I'm having a lingering flu or cold or something, and I've barely been at work for 3 weeks. I just can't handle being around people or trying to act fine and work anyway, even though that's the socially acceptable thing to do. I tried on Friday and had the worst anxiety attack I've ever had, before even walking into work. At least in my case, I have flexible hours and a very understanding boss, so I'm not worried about losing my job.

Now I'm wondering, does anyone else find they're unable to cope with work when sick?

It's like people will bend over backwards if you're hacking up your lungs and sound sick, or (heaven forbid) if you're contagious, but no one cares how you're actually feeling, physically or emotionally.

I watched at a previous job, while employees who had to go to the hospital were disparaged behind their backs for not calling in soon enough. And when one guy came in and let the manager know that he'd been diagnosed with depression, she spread the word around to everyone, and acted like he was faking it for sympathy--but she also acted like he was going to turn around and murder everyone. That job was an education in how selfish and immature a lot of adults can be. But it was a fast-food job, and that industry is like workplace purgatory.

I've spent years wondering why everyone puts themselves through the misery of going to work every day and acting like it's no big deal, no matter what they were going through in their lives. I also thought I was just a wimpy introvert. So maybe for most people, going to work while feeling like crap and unable to breathe isn't a big deal?

I will call out regardless of bosses wishes if I am running a fever. I think it’s stupid when your coughing up a lung, nose running and producing parts at a less then productive pace… Then a few days later everyone down the line is sick.

I got sick with a stomach flu ( I didn't know at the time ) for a day a while back. They asked me to leave to get better, also since I work with food obviously they don't want my sickness to spread.

I'm not good at working while sick either, too dizzy and tired, can't think clearly, ETC. Some cold medicines improve these symptoms, and it depends on how sick I am, but yeah, I'm usually down for 1-3 days for each cold. I actually just went to the doctor for a two-week one and found out I needed antibiotics, so if you're still sick, see a doctor. My doctor said to see her after a week for a cough, for example. Also, if you have a fever, you can see the doctor right away because they have antivirals now for early flu symptoms.

No one is that important to a project that they work through physical illness. Unfortunately, try telling that to most managers. Try telling that to my parents when they were alive. They were of the opinion you work 24/7/365 until you drop dead, then get back up and start working. It's called the PA Dutch Work Ethic.

I've worked when sick several times in food service and retail. I was guilt tripped often when I would call in / pressured to come in when sick, even with a fever. Often, I would make a lot of mistakes during those days/ customers often told me I looked sick.

Currently I'm working in education field and its more of an unwritten rules to not call in sick unless you're glued to your toilet or in the hospital, as we don't have enough people to cover when someone is out.

It depends how sick I am. When I am moderately sick, I will be able to work. Or I say to my boss that I am ill, but I can do some tasks at home.

She thinks, though, that I should not work at all, when I am sick (and I stay at home). But some of my tasks are computer related and can be completed at home, at my computer.

Although I am sick (in that case), there are still things that I can do, maybe at a slower speed than usual.