Cold, flu, corona: These are the risks associated with exercise after infection

“You can usually exercise again after a cold as soon as the symptoms are completely gone,” says Rhomberg. It is recommended to take a break for one to two days. This is especially true for mild colds without fever and body aches. According to the expert, walks or slow runs are suitable as a start, depending on your performance level. “It’s important to monitor how you feel after your workout.” If you are extremely tired the day after a gym session, this indicates that you trained too early. Rhomberg: “Then you have to give your body the opportunity to rest for a few more days.” If you are in doubt, it would be logical to consult your family doctor and have your blood values ​​checked before you start exercising again.

“Whether the infection is caused by a cold or flu pathogen can only be proven by a test performed by a doctor,” says Rhomberg. Since this is often not studied, he recommends paying attention to the severity of symptoms and this rule of thumb: Symptoms above the neck, such as nasal congestion or runny nose, without general symptoms indicate a mild course. Symptoms such as body aches below the neck, fever, and chills indicate a serious course of the disease.

“As soon as the symptoms of a severe flu infection subside, you should take a break from exercise for at least two to three days,” says Rhomberg. Then, you can start with walks or light strength exercises that will not tire the heart and lungs. The expert also recommends seeking medical help if in doubt. A break is important because otherwise you run the risk of complications such as myocarditis. This condition may manifest itself with symptoms such as tiredness, tiredness, shortness of breath, or chest pain. “If you have symptoms like these, you should definitely see a doctor,” says Rhomberg. Inflammation of the myocardium can lead to heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias, and in the worst case, can be life-threatening.

The expert says that the risk of heart involvement in Covid disease is slightly higher than in flu. “Therefore, it is particularly important for the infection to heal before starting exercise.” According to Swiss Olympic rules, it is recommended to take a break from training for at least five days after a corona infection. According to experts, you should start exercising again only after being symptom-free for 48 hours. “Depending on your general condition, light efforts such as walking are possible these days.” However, if you restart too ambitiously, there is an increased risk of complications or a longer recovery period that will prolong symptoms such as fatigue.

People who measure their pulse regularly can also do so during rest and before returning to exercise. “This is an additional clue to find out what state of health the body is in,” says Rhomberg. Because during a viral infection, pulse values ​​are higher than normal.