Should I exercise when I’m sick?
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) issued the following guidelines for exercising during an illness.
• If one has common cold symptoms, (runny nose and/or sore throat without a fever), intense exercise training may be safely resumed a few days after the resolution in symptoms.
• Mild to moderate- intensity exercise (e.g. walking) when sick with a common cold does not appear to be harmful.
• With symptoms of fever, extreme tiredness, muscle aches, and swollen lymph glands, 2 to 4 weeks should probably be allowed before resumption of intense training.
• In general, if the symptoms are from the neck up, moderate exercise is probably acceptable and, some researchers would even argue, beneficial. Bed rest and a gradual progression to normal training are recommended when the illness is systemic. If in doubt as to the type of infectious illness, individuals should consult a physician.
To find out more about exercising through an illness, contact the Sports Medicine Navigator at East Jefferson General Hospital at (504) 338-9792 or visit www.ejgh.org.
