Why am I penalized at work for taking sick days?

Go throw up on the HR director's desk. Seriously stupid but my guess is too many people were using sick days without being sick. "Oh what a nice day I don't want to work I will call in sick". Perhaps you could seek a resolution with the company such as no occurrence if you have a doctors note or if you are obviously sick and must leave. Good luck sounds like we are both feeling the same today.