When to go back to work after chest infection?

[YellowSubmarine994]

I'm asthmatic and picked up a pneumonia-type chest infection for which the GP gave me antibiotics for 7 days and rescue steroids. I'm currently on day 5 of 7, so Monday would be my last day of antibiotics. I'm also asthmatic, hence why I was given rescue steroids. My symptoms (breathless, chest pain etc.) have mostly gone now but I do feel wiped out and very tired. I don't feel rested when I wake up (unusual for me) and feel like I want to go back to bed most of the day.

I'm also in the middle of moving house, have a very unwell relative in hospital, and a few other things that are adding to my stress.

I'm a teacher and have already had more than my fair share of sick days this year. I could do with the rest, but also am very worried about losing a job over amount of time off, as well as feeling very guilty as the kids are without a teacher.

AIBU to take another few days off to rest and recuperate as well as deal with moving house, poorly relatives etc. without the additional stress of work too?

YABU - you're no longer too symptomatic, so get back to work ASAP

YANBU - pneumonia is no joke, get a doctor's note for additional time off work

Just to add a bit more context:

I'm working on an exit strategy from teaching because my immune system has taken a beating and I'm just off sick too much. The guilt is immense.

Well, you're either well enough to work, or you aren't. The rest is not directly linked to that and as it's half term very soon, I think I'd be going back to work if I were healthy enough and dealing with the other stuff during the holiday as far as you can with those different things.

Basically go back when you're well enough. I took over a week when I had flu a few months ago, very unlike me but I just felt so wiped out.
Take at least a few more days then see how you feel. If you go back too soon it will take you longer to get back to normal.

This is where I'm stuck. Could I push through until half-term? Yes, possibly. Equally, will I be sleeping every minute I'm not in school, lack of energy for taking care of my daughter as all my energy went on school? Also yes, possibly.

I have a really complex about quite what is and isn't fit for work

Also a case of whether I have the energy to turn up and entertain 30 stroppy teenagers without losing my patience as that is a tough one when exhausted. Am I well enough to turn up - yes. Am I well enough to make a good job of it - no. So am I well enough for work or not in that scenario

For me when I get to the point where setting cover is more trouble than it's worth (and we have a really good system and cover staff, so it's not even that hard to do for me) I know it's time to go back in, although possibly teaching lower-key lessons for a few days.

It reads like you are leaning towards not being ready, so take the time to get better if you need it.