When after an illness should I get back to it?

NotJustADieter
NotJustADieter Posts: 229 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've been seriously ill- I had strep that turned into walking pneumonia. Not fun, and made worse by the fact that I had to work my fairly active job through it. I'm feeling a ton better, fever gone, throat cleared up, etc., but I still have sniffles, congestion, and some gunk in my chest. I'm also still on antibiotics. I don't intend to get back to my high impact routine yet, but at what point can I?

Replies

  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    MeganAM89 wrote: »
    I think I would wait until finishing antibiotics. Since you were sick for so long I wouldn't want to risk doing more than you should before being back to normal.

    +1
  • applesandtapeline
    applesandtapeline Posts: 58 Member
    Fun fact: right after a course of antibiotics there's a high chance of getting sick again due to low immune system. I suggest focusing on getting back your health. Be easy on your self, eat healthy good food, fuel your body. Take long walks in fresh air if you want some activity.
    The moment you feel 100% healthy is the time to get back to normal workout routine.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    edited October 2016
    I would say when your body tells you its ok.. It signals you pain and discomfort and those icky feelings for a reason, if you feel "strong again" and can muster the energy to exercise and possibly still fight any illness you have, I would say any time..

    I might add, if you are still contagious or still spreading any germs as a result and you workout in a public gym, others might appreciate you not bringing that to the gym.. :)
  • TanyaHooton
    TanyaHooton Posts: 249 Member
    What does your doctor say? Earlier this year I had mono. Afterward, my doc said I was no longer sick but strongly cautioned me against walking the 5k I'd been planning on for several months. I was not happy, but she was right. Even when we start feeling better, the body isn't actually 100% yet.
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    I'd go really cautious. I thought I was better after a nasty but still just a cold that hadn't really gone for my chest at all (I'm low level asthmatic). Nearly ended up with a trip to the hospital after coming far too close to having an asthma attack ten minutes into a run. Not worth it.

    So test the water a few days after you've stopped meds and be very cautious. There's no workout worth getting repeatedly sick for!
  • TanyaHooton
    TanyaHooton Posts: 249 Member
    edited October 2016
    MeganAM89 wrote: »
    TanyaHooton wrote: »
    What does your doctor say? Earlier this year I had mono. Afterward, my doc said I was no longer sick but strongly cautioned me against walking the 5k I'd been planning on for several months. I was not happy, but she was right. Even when we start feeling better, the body isn't actually 100% yet.

    Mono is the worst. I had it when I was 18 and I wasn't allowed to do anything that physically exerted me for 6 weeks.

    I had it at 33. I work a corporate job and take care of a family, including little ones, so it was hard. I didn't even eat dinner because I was already asleep, let alone make any food. Mono sucks a lot.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I'd wait until your chest is clear.

Categories