Respiratory Infection and Working Out?

jewelz28 · **Respiratory Infection and Working Out?**

I have been sick with a respiratory infection all week. Yesterday, my doc put me on antibiotics. Do you guys work out when you are sick? I've read everywhere that you shouldn't. I'm so frustrated because I finally got into a workout routine about 3 weeks ago and I am so afraid that I'm going to lose my motivation. Also, if you work out at a gym, what cleanliness advice do you have? I'm sure that's where I picked up my sickness! I always wash my hands very thoroughly after working out (I actually shower at home-I'm only 1 mile away). I use hand sanitizer frequently too.

desertmom · 02-15-2008, 11:24 AM

No. Stretching is good, but your body needs its energy to heal. I would wait until about day 3 of the antibios, and only if you are feeling better, to work out. Otherwise, you could tax your body to much and end up even sicker, including making the infection spread more. Let the current antibios do their job so you don't need stronger ones.

Oh, and one more thing a lot of people don't realize. Being on antibiotics LOWERS your resistance to germs and sickness, because your immune system is off from both the illness AND the killing of the beneficial bacteria. Remember, not only the bad bacteria is getting killed, but so is the good bacteria. So relax, have some Activa yogurt to get the good bacteria in your body for a brief time, and ease back into it when you're feeling better.

maggie · 02-15-2008, 11:38 AM

She's right. I have a respiratory infection right now also, and I am on prednisone and antibiotics to try to clear it up and keep it from turning into pneumonia. My doctor said NO WAY was I to exercise until I finished the medication (10 days total). It is a nasty illness and you don't want to mess around with it. After a few days, if you feel like it and the weather is not too cold, take a walk. Ease back in. It is not worth it! I am feeling a lot better today and I went out in the yard for an hour this morning to rake some leaves and I am winded and tired now from just that little bit of activity. It is frustrating.

As far as keeping germs away, just do your best to wash your hands and when you are at the gym keep your hands away from your face. At my gym, people are very good about spraying off the machines after they work out, but they keep spray bottles and paper towels hanging on the columns and I just spritz the equipment before I start using it for good measure. Probably overkill, but it makes me feel better. (I am the mom that sends Purell in my kid's lunchbox and keeps it clipped on his backpack too, but it still doesn't keep us from getting sick this time of year....)

desertmom · 02-15-2008, 12:29 PM

Ooh, and the Prednisone raises your heart rate anyway (my daughter takes it when her wheezing is so bad, and I took it for pain), so working out with that would even be worse. But it certainly works on the breathing and pain!

skimommy · 02-15-2008, 07:17 PM

Wait until you are feeling better. I had the same dilemma last month. You can catch up when you feel better.... REST REST REST!

mamaof3kiddies · 02-15-2008, 08:21 PM

Take it easy, let your body feel better and then get back into it. No need to run you down anymore than you already are.