Not sick enough to worry? "Influenza-like" symptoms and work-related behavior among healthcare workers and other professionals: Results of a global survey.

Ermira Tartari,Eli Perencevich,Angela Dramowski,Benedetta Allegranzi,Kalisvar Marimuthu,Peter Collignon,Shuk C Wong,Andreas Widmer,Michael B Edmond,Nikki Kenters,Paul A Tambyah,Vincent C C Cheng,Katja Saris,Thomas Gottlieb,Andreas Voss

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0232168

Abstract

BackgroundHealthcare workers (HCWs) and non-HCWs may contribute to the transmission of influenza-like illness (ILI) to colleagues and susceptible patients by working while sick (presenteeism). The present study aimed to explore the views and behavior of HCWs and non-HCWs towards the phenomenon of working while experiencing ILI.MethodsThe study was a cross-sectional online survey conducted between October 2018 and January 2019 to explore sickness presenteeism and the behaviour of HCWs and non-HCWs when experiencing ILI. The survey questionnaire was distributed to the members and international networks of the International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (ISAC) Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Working Group, as well as via social media platforms, including LinkedIn, Twitter and IPC Blog.ResultsIn total, 533 respondents from 49 countries participated (Europe 69.2%, Asia-Pacific 19.1%, the Americas 10.9%, and Africa 0.8%) representing 249 HCWs (46.7%) and 284 non-HCWs (53.2%). Overall, 312 (58.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 56.2–64.6) would continue to work when sick with ILI, with no variation between the two categories. Sixty-seven (26.9%) HCWs and forty-six (16.2%) non-HCWs would work with fever alone (p<0 .01) Most HCWs (89.2–99.2%) and non-HCWs (80%-96.5%) would work with “minor” ILI symptoms, such as sore throat, sinus cold, fatigue, sneezing, runny nose, mild cough and reduced appetite.ConclusionA future strategy to successfully prevent the transmission of ILI in healthcare settings should address sick-leave policy management, in addition to encouraging the uptake of influenza vaccine.

Highlights

As the world watches the current COVID-19 pandemic unfold, the global public threat of severe respiratory infectious disease has created an unprecedented challenge [1, 2]
Sixty-seven (26.9%) Healthcare workers (HCWs) and forty-six (16.2%) non-HCWs would work with fever alone (p
Gender and age distribution were comparable among HCWs and non-HCWs, but they differed with regard to the level of education, with a higher proportion of participants in the HCW group with a bachelor’s degree or higher (88.0% versus 78.2% in the other professions; p = 0.003)

Summary

Introduction

As the world watches the current COVID-19 pandemic unfold, the global public threat of severe respiratory infectious disease has created an unprecedented challenge [1, 2]. There is a growing interest in the phenomenon of sickness presenteeism, defined as attending work through illness, which has been perceived as a challenge across several sectors, with the highest rates reported in human service organization (care, welfare and education) [4]. It is of particular concern in healthcare where there is a potentially serious public health impact due to the risk of cross-infection [3] to susceptible populations and excess morbidity and mortality [5, 6].

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Discussion

Conclusion