Staying Healthy

Exercising with respiratory infections

Q.

If you have a typical cold, with sneezing, a runny nose, and a dry cough, it's perfectly safe for you to continue exercising. But if your symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, it's probably wise to back off. As a rule of thumb, if you don't feel up to your walk, take time off until the spring is back in your legs. Put another way, if your symptoms are all above your neck, there is no reason to alter your routine, but if the rest of your body sends out distress signals, back off. Even then, you may want to do some gentle stretching exercises to stay limber.

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