Though this study is limited by the fact that the participants were self-selected, with 90 percent of respondents coming from high-income countries, the results are concerning, since over half of both healthcare and non-healthcare workers report being willing to continue working through major influenza symptoms, despite international guidelines. In the midst of a pandemic, future strategies to prevent the transmission of influenza-like illnesses in work settings—especially healthcare, where workers often care for immuno-compromised patients—are crucial, and the authors note that a broad cultural change is required, in addition to sufficient sick leave and access to the influenza vaccine.
The authors add: "At the time of the present COVID-19 pandemic it is important to realise that healthcare workers, despite feeling moderately sick during flu seasons, feel the obligation to work.”