Staying in Bed While Sick: A Social Expectation or Personal Choice?

Dolly's Sick Role

Dolly, a stay-at-home mother, makes her children breakfast every morning. However, when she came down with the flu, her kids stepped in to make breakfast for her. For Dolly, staying in bed is an example of what?

Sick role is the correct answer.

According to Medical Sociology, sick role is used to relate to sickness, the rights and the obligations of the person affected. The sick role determines that it's okay for Dolly to call in sick, stay in bed to rest, and get well if she is sick with the flu. Also, the sick role exempts the person from normal social roles and says that they should NOT be blamed for their condition.

Final answer:

Staying in bed while having the flu is a public health measure to prevent the spread of the virus, fulfill social expectations, and aid one's own recovery.

Explanation:

For Dolly, staying in bed while she has the flu is an example of a measure to prevent the spread of the illness. When one is sick with a viral infection, such as the flu, which can cause symptoms like fever, sore throat, and cough, it is socially expected that the person stays home and rests. This rest not only aids their own recovery but also protects others by minimizing the risk of the virus spreading to family, friends, or the community.

Additionally, in the context of public health and infectious diseases, such actions are considered responsible because they help to control outbreaks. Good hygienic practices, like covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing, are also crucial in stopping the transmission of the flu virus.