Working out while sick

jfan175
jfan175 Posts: 812 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
What is everyone's take on working out while sick? I've got a bad cold....possibly walking pneumonia. They wanted to do a chest Xray, but I asked the doc if the treatment would be any different if it were the pneumonia. He said no, so I chose not to get the dose of radiation. He prescribed an antibiotic and some prednisone, and left it up to me whether to work out or not.

Replies

  • kortni0915
    kortni0915 Posts: 6 Member
    I've always heard that if it's a head cold (symptoms are neck and above) you were okay to work out, but if they were respiratory (in the chest/lungs) you shouldn't.

    Of course I'm not an expert, so I'd love to hear everyone else's advice on this to know for future use.
  • Troublemonster
    Troublemonster Posts: 223 Member
    When in the throws of the full cold I will often stay home because I don't want to spread it around the gym, more of a courtesy thing I guess. I'd rather just stay at home and take care of myself with rest and good nutrition during this phase since I don't have a particular deadline by which I have to hit a certain goal relating to fitness I am not afraid to burn off a whole week if necessary.

    I am now battling the nagging dry cough on the tail end of a bad cold and I work out through that.
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    It probably has to do with a combination of factors, including how sick someone is, what type of sickness it is, what type of exercise they want to do, and at what intensity.

    Personally, speaking as someone with chronic bronchitis, I can definitely say heavy cardio helps me when I'm have respiratory symptoms, but I think is one of those go-by-how-you-feel things.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    Possible pneumonia and work out....NO. Rest and take care of your body.
  • Yaya1976
    Yaya1976 Posts: 357 Member
    I work out when I'm sick. I try to not cough on people, of course lol.....But being sick doesn't stop me.
  • grrrlface
    grrrlface Posts: 1,204 Member
    I rest up when I'm sick so my body can recover and I can take care of myself. Even with just a cold. If it's more serious, you should definitely take it easy. :)
  • capnrus789
    capnrus789 Posts: 2,736 Member
    Don't do it. You're body is already fighting off the intruder, taxing it any more is likely going to keep the intruder around for longer.
  • samanthawarren
    samanthawarren Posts: 120
    I guess it depends on you. I used to try to work out when I was sick. When I was younger I could handle it, Now if it is just a cold I will still work out with low intensity. If I have something more serious than a cold, working out will make me much sicker and I will be down for a week or more, so I don't do it anymore.

    I would say if your Dr left it up to you, he/she must not think it is a terrible idea.
  • GetDemGainz
    GetDemGainz Posts: 60
    I worked out while sick right before Thanksgiving. I got through it but struggled and didn't feel well after. I was told it raises your blood pressure and can be very dangerous. Be careful.
  • bellesouth18
    bellesouth18 Posts: 1,071 Member
    If you're coughing, short of breath, and running a fever, NO!!! Go get back in the bed and rest. Your body will thank you faster for doing that. If it's more along the lines of a runny nose, go for it at home, but don't do heavy workouts. :heart: :flowerforyou:
  • jfan175
    jfan175 Posts: 812 Member
    No fever, just wheezing and lots of nasal congestion. I'm not short of breath or anything. The reason the doc thinks it might be walking pneumonia is because my son and wife both have it....but their symptoms are ;much worse.
  • bellesouth18
    bellesouth18 Posts: 1,071 Member
    Well, if you're wheezing and your nose is too stuffed up to breathe normally, then I sure wouldn't do it. Your wife and son would probably freak out if you passed out. haha Anyway, if they have a more severe case, don't push your luck. Yours can get worse, too. Just rest for now until you can breathe again.

Categories