So after my great weekend with my sister this weekend, we both ended up with the flu. I thought it was just the stomach bug but I had a fever, body aches, and major fatigue. There was just no way around admitting I had the flu. I tried to go into work today but since both of my bosses are on H1N1 studies with the CDC they weren’t taking any chances and sent me home for the rest of the week.
I have been anxious to get back to training but I know my body isn’t ready yet. My muscles are still week and my fever just broke yesterday.
So how do I know when it’s okay to exercise after the flu?
With cold and flu season here I thought I would share some of the information I found. Here are some guidelines I found:
- Most doctors say it’s okay to exercise with a cold as long as you don’t have a fever or muscle aches (make sure to check with your doctor first!!) Fevers cause your muscles to weaken (including your heart) and exercising can put extra strain on them.
- Do not exercise if you have a fever.
- After your fever breaks wait a few days do low intensity and short duration exercise every other day for 7-10 days
- Make sure you are not dehydrated! It is one of the main reasons people are hospitalized from the flu.
- Do not push it if you have any shortness of breath
- Most importantly – talk with your doctor! Every cold and flu is different and effects people differently. You don’t want to push it and get even worse.
Want to read more? Check out these sites:
Working out after the flu
Exercise when you have the flu
Exercise with Flu or Cold, or Stay in bed?
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highwaytohealth.wordpress.com 
I hope you feel better! I teach and am extra vigilant this year about taking temperatures, calling parents, cleaning and germ-xing.
It is always better to air on the side of caution.
So sorry to hear you have the flu! Get well soon 🙂 The H1N1 is going around Duke right now and I’m nervous I’m going to get it!
I’m starting to feel down again but I’m hanging in. Hope you’ll be back to feeling 100% soon.
I’m so sorry you’re sick! I hope it doesn’t last too long.
When I hadn’t seen any new posts for a little while on here I had a hunch you might be sick! I hope you are feeling better! I suppose it’s not the interesting to post pics of ginger ale and saltines! 🙂
I hope you get to feeling better soon! I’ve been sick also, but not with the flu and have just stuck to short walks. I hope I can get back to regular workouts next week though. Thanks for the tips!