Jogging Tip: Running When You’re Sick

Question:

I have come down with a cold recently. Is there any reason not to go jogging while I'm sick?

Answer:

If your symptoms are located above the neck -- a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing -- then exercise is probably safe. Start slowly, and if you feel better after 10 minutes, continue, if you feel worse, stop. If you have below-the-neck symptoms, for example, muscle aches, hacking cough, fever of 100 degrees or higher, chills, diarrhea, or vomiting, you should avoid exercise. Exercising when you have these symptoms may raise your temperature, dehydrate you, and weaken you further. A sore throat could go either way, and you need to see how your energy and strength level is. Whatever your symptoms are, if you're feeling really weak, it's better not to exercise because when your body is fighting an infection, you could suffer a setback, plus your performance would be greatly diminished and you probably wouldn't be getting very much out of the workout.