Recovering from Covid/chest infection - when is exercising too soon after recovery

[SoundsLikeALlama]

I recently had a terrible chest infection. I never had a temperature but had the most awful sounding cough - so much so that a GP heard my cough while I was in the chemist and told me to make an appointment with my GP to get antibiotics! I haven't had anything like this for decades.

I was on antibiotics for a week - they finished last Friday. The cough has almost gone but I can still feel some fluid on my chest and a slight wheeze.

I really want to get back to fitness and exercising. I usually run twice a week but haven't for 3 weeks now because of this. I feel better in myself but my chest is definitely not completely recovered. Do you think it would do any harm if I went on a gentle run/walk? I won't push myself hard but I think I will go mad if I don't do something soon. I'm 50 if that helps. I just get the feeling that if I wait for my chest to be 100% I might be waiting weeks but also don't want to make anything worse either.

Trust your feelings.

I had this twice, tried to go back too soon, got worse. Took me 5/6 weeks and had to slowly build up my fitness again (normally do sport 5 times a week do I was sad)

But Covid for me did not give gradual improvement, instead I'd feel almost better, had a setback, better, another setback

I had 3 failed attempts at telling myself I was better when I was not

Hope you feel better soon, be careful and be patient

Am also 50 btw

Have you actually had COVID this time? (As in, have you tested?)

There are some nasty winter coughs and colds doing the rounds still.

Just start small and work your way up. Try pilates or swimming first? Something gentle.

After covid you can expect to get exhausted very easily for 2-3 months. I can’t tell you ‘you’ll be fine by week 5’ but I can tell you DO NOT PUSH YOURSELF and listen very carefully to what your body is telling you, especially your heart. If you get unfit that doesn’t matter you can get fit again in a few months. But don’t strain your heart after covid.

I’ve just had Covid, not quite 50 but almost. Last time I had it I felt quite tired on exertion for about 2 weeks. I’m about a week post Covid now and thinking of trying the gym for some gentle exercise tomorrow. Hope you feel better soon

I was hit hard by Covid and every time I tried to exercise it set me back hard. I didn't have a chest issue though, I had severe fatigue. I only fully recovered when I started to take rest seriously. I had to give in to it and just rebuild my fitness altogether. Not saying this is what you will face OP, but I would err on the side of caution if you still have symptoms.

Thanks all that's very useful context. I didn't bother texting this time so not sure if it was Covid or not but there are definitely some nasty bugs doing the rounds.

And yes I'm a bit wary of the after effects of Covid on the heart too - I have definitely had that twice (once at the start of the pandemic and once in the middle) so will be ultra cautious!

I'd be very careful. I had a very mild case with no symptoms except a scratchy throat and temporary loss of smell, but did not start running for a month after because there's a heightened risk of heart attack and stroke post infection.

My husband, an ultrarunner, was sick a couple of times last year, felt recovered, had a heavy week of exercise and then was basically knocked back for 3 months, could barely walk to the park for a few weeks, he's only just gradually running up to 10km again (previously he was happily running 30km+ 2-3 time a week). He had not tested positive for covid, had not had a cough, but whatever illnesses he'd had had clearly seriously weakened him and he still felt tightness in his chest when running until very recently.

I'd wait until your cough clears completely before any running, and then start really gradually, maybe with something like couch to 5km to build up slowly. Good luck!

Thanks @YearoftheRabbit23 . Sorry to hear you both suffered so badly.

I meant tested in my post not texted!

Yes that's exactly what I'm worried about - that I knock myself back when I've only just recovered

Think maybe I'll stick to a few long walks with the dog and wait for my chest to be fine. It is still a bit tight at the moment and I have a blue inhaler. Just getting frustrating and I need to watch what I eat so I don't pile on the weight which I can see is happening so much easier the older I get!