"The groundwork of all happiness is health." - Leigh Hunt

How soon can I start exercising again after the flu?

Question
I’m still recovering from the flu and wondering how soon I can safely get back to my workouts. I’ve read that doing an excessive amount of can increase the chance of heart infections. What is “too much, too soon” on this case?

Oh Of course, you’re right. Recommendations about returning to exercise after illness are vague. This is since the disease response could be very variable.

Here is a few generally accepted guidance.

For individuals who have a chilly or an easy upper respiratory infection with out a fever or significant cough, it is usually secure to exercise. You need to cut your intensity and duration of exercise in half. If you are feeling good in the following few hours, you possibly can increase it the following time you exercise. However, when you feel drained after exercising, then stop exercising two to 3 days before.

With the flu or other illness that causes a high fever, muscle aches and fatigue, wait until the fever is gone before returning to exercise.

The first exercise after this kind of illness needs to be very light, ensuring you are usually not wanting breath. You’ll need to progress more slowly as you come back to your normal routine. If you normally exercise every day, I like to recommend exercising every other day for seven to 10 days after an illness.

A viral infection, corresponding to the flu, may cause temporary muscle weakness. It incorporates heart muscle cells. Exercising doesn’t cause a heart infection, but a weakened heart from a viral infection can suffer from strenuous exercise. Go low (low intensity) and go slow (short duration). If you are feeling wanting breath, this just isn’t the time to suppress it.


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