So if exercise is good for the immune system, would it be silly...

[MrsMerryHenry]

...to go out for a run in the freezing cold while I'm developing a chest infection? On a scale of 1-10 I'd say it's about a 3 in terms of severity. I'm fairly fit and would really like to NOT be ill at the start of 09.

Who says yay to a run? Who says nay?

If you feel well, and not short of breath, then I'd say give it a go. But turn back if it gets too much.

Or try a REALLY hot curry to burn the cold out

Hey, yeah, I'm a believer in pepper as a 'kill or cure' for anything! Great suggestion!

Surely the ton and a half of chocolate and cake I've consumed in the past 3 days would provide it with adequate energy supplies to fight the bugs?

No.Run or exercise is always a good idea.

If you run then you have a good chance of nipping it in the bud. Well that's my experience anyway. Gets your blood circulating faster and fights the infection better.

Fit people carry on regardless.Couch potaters look for any excuse to stop.

Aye
Have been for 10 mile bike ride today and it did horrid cough a worls of good.Off for stomp up a mountain tomorrow and day after.Will kill it orf.

You should not exercise if you have a temperature.

How do you know you are developing a chest infection?
If you have one, you might need ABs.
You should also not exercise in extreme cold if you are ill.
I'd say wait til you feel a bit better, then ease into exercise with brisk walking- 30 minutes building up to an hour, then slow jogging etc- on a weekly basis.

If you have a bit of a cough or a runny nose, then yes, assuming you can still breathe! If you have a temperature, no, probably.

Fresh air and exercising the lungs helps . Also tend to agree with moondog - any reason to stop can be the start of the slippery slope .

However, word of warning, I am not ill as far as I know, but I do have athsma. You may find that you're breathing is harder than normal anyway due to the cold dry air. I struggled on Sunday.

you definitely should not exercise if you are developing a chest infection, or if you have any 'below neck' symptoms such as a productive cough, aching muscles, etc.*

Apart from dramatically increasing your risk of developing viral myocarditis (where a cold or flu virus enters the heart muscle - a triathlete friend of mine died of this a couple of years ago) it is likely you will significantly prolong the length of time it takes your body to recover after the virus has run its course, and could end up with several weeks of post-viral fatigue.

It has nothing to do with being a "couch potato" - taking it easy for a bit and looking after yourself will help your immune system can do its job quicker and more effectively.

*You could exercise at a reduced intensity if you have just a runny nose or a bit of a sore throat - this is known as the above neck/below neck rule.

Did you go MMH?

I would have said no to a run but yes to a good brisk walk. A very fit friend of mine suffered myocarditis like lazyemma's friend. Thankfully she's OK now.

Do the neck check - cold OK, chest infection not OK.

I must be a slacker then as any sign of being ill and there is no way i would go for a run in this weather.

PMSL at ICU comment! Well I was actually just about to head out for a run now, but having read lazyemma's very informed-sounding post I think I might just give it a miss - chest thing is worse today than yesterday and I certainly don't fancy dying of anything before I'm 90.

(in response to honestfriend's question, I have had chest infections before and so I recognise that delightful taste in your mouth when you start coughing up the goods)

Think I'll get my belly-dancing DVD out instead and give DH something to laugh at.

Thanks to all for your advice, and have yourselves a splendid, hilarious, bug-free right rollicking laugh tomorrow night!

Happy New Year! xxx