[Grammar] I was ill/I have been ill

[englishhobby]

Does the second exchange mean that the person is still ill? I think it doesn't. If so, is there any big difference in meaning?

1) Where have you been the whole week?
I was ill.

2) Where have you been the whole week?
I have been ill.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd probably use "I was ill" especially if I had recovered at the time of speaking. "I have been ill" isn't impossible but it suggests you are still suffering.

If you add a time period, the present perfect works better. "I have been ill six times this winter", for example.

 

[Tdol]

It could also be affected by the context. If the conversation is taking place over the phone and the person has not gone back to work, the present perfect would work.