Working out while sick?

Is is ok to workout when you are mildly sick (like a cold)?  Any other advice for staying on track when you're under the weather?

My policy is to go ahead if I just have stuffy nose issues, or mild symptoms like that, but definitely not if I have any kind of fever, aches, chills or fatigue.  Those are symptoms of your immune system in overdrive, and you don't want to take any extra energy away from your immune system when it's fighting something off. 

Thanks for your reply!  What kind of exercises are best to do when sick?  Is cardio okay, or is it better to stick to strength training?

I stick to cardio. Low-moderate level cardio, this is not the time to kill yourself with intense cardio! Just get the old blood pumping. A good long walk stimulates your immune system.

And I second the motion about taking it easy if you've got a fever, aches, chills.

My general rule is symptoms above the neck (runny nose, sinus pain) I do a little cardio. symptoms below the neck (chest cough, body aches) then I take it easy.

Another tip for staying on track...raw garlic. It'll help you kick whatever bug's got a hold of you. Chop it up in pretty small pieces (so you don't choke on it), pile it up on a spoon and chase it with a big drink of water. Two cloves a day, one with breakfast or lunch and one with dinner. 

Hope you feel better! 

It depends on how I feel. If I feel up to it, then I do it, but if I'm feeling too tired then I skip it. Typically I'll do mild cardio rather than high intensity or weight lifting.

I'm recovering from a chest cold (1 week) and can't work out and it's driving me batty!  I googled and found that most doctors agree that working out is okay if you have symptoms above the neck (i.e. stuffy nose) with no fever.  Fever is a definate no-no.  But with symptoms like mine (congestion in chest), I read something about a slight risk to your heart if you exercise.  Not sure why...maybe someone else will know more about it?

If you go to a gym or other public area to work out, even if you just have a cold, keep in mind that other people are there too and use the same equipment you do. Wipe down the equipment that you use with a disinfecting cloth (Clorox wipes or something similar). You don't want to get other people sick too.

I'm having a really hard time with this too. I have some sort of sinus infection that's upsetting my stomach as well- I tried to do yoga but it was way too painful around my nose and eyes.