Sneezing, a sore throat and stuffy nose can be clear signs of sickness. But you might be less aware of other signals showing how your illness is affecting your overall mood and behavior.

Scientists call this “sickness behavior.” When you’re feeling ill, the chemicals directing your immune system are sending you messages: Slow down, get some rest. Don’t interact with others.

With evidence that sickness impairs a person’s mood, alertness and working memory, maybe we should pay better attention to our bodies’ signals when we’re not well. But not everyone is listening, according to a report on National Public Radio, including people who should know better.

In a 2015 survey of health care providers at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, researchers found 95 percent of the workers knew that if they went to work sick they could potentially put patients at risk. However, 83 percent of the respondents said they did it anyway. Many of the workers said they worried about letting down colleagues or patients. Most said they just didn’t know how sick was too sick.

This sickness behavior is also seen in animals. Scientists think of it as a survival strategy; to direct all of their energy to fighting off sickness, animals hunker down until they feel better. But if a more pressing need comes up, such as if a mother’s babies are in danger, animals will go to work, just like their human cousins.

People often feel cultural pressures to go to work even if they are not at their best, especially if they are battling a less-threatening illness like a common cold. But doctors say you shouldn’t try to be a hero. Sometimes, the best medicine is to listen to your body and rest.