Exercise - colds and flu

Preventative medicine

Physical activity contributes to health by reducing the heart rate, decreasing the risk for cardiovascular disease, and reducing the amount of bone loss that is associated with age and osteoporosis. Physical activity also helps the body use calories more efficiently, thereby helping in weight loss and maintenance. It can increase basal metabolic rate, reduces appetite, and helps in the reduction of body fat.

Also known as: Flu and exercise and Colds and exercise

Information

Question:

Can exercise help you avoid colds and flus?

Answer:

Exercise helps the disease-fighting white blood cells in the body move from the organs into the bloodstream.

Overall, you can improve your immune system by eating a proper diet, getting enough rest, reducing stress, and exercising regularly. This will decrease your chances of getting a cold or the flu.

Even if studies find that exercise doesn't prevent colds or the flu, exercise is good for overall health.

References

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. . Accessed October 30, 2010.

Chubak J, McTiernan A, Sorensen B, et al. Moderate-intensity exercise reduces the incidence of colds among postmenopausal women. American Journal of Medicine. 2006;119:937-942.

Martin SA, Pence BD, Woods JA. Exercise and respiratory tract viral infections. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2009;37:157-164.

Turner RB. The common cold. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone;2009:chap 53.

See also:

  • Disease

    Flu

    Normal lung anatomy

    The flu is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by the influenza virus. See also: (H1N1)

  • Disease

    Avian influenza

    Avian influenza is infection in birds. The virus that causes the bird infectin can change (mutate) to infect humans. Such mutation could start a deadly worldwide epidemic.

  • Special Topic

    Influenza vaccine

    Influenza vaccines

    An influenza vaccine protects people against .

  • Disease

    Pneumonia

    Pneumococci organism

    Pneumonia is a respiratory condition in which there is infection of the lung. Community-acquired pneumonia refers to pneumonia in people who have not recently been in the hospital or another health care facility (nursing home, rehabilitation facility). See also:

  • Disease

    Common cold

    Throat anatomy

    The common cold generally involves a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. You may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms.

  • Disease

    H1N1 (swine) influenza

    The H1N1 virus (swine flu) is a new virus strain that has caused a worldwide pandemic in humans from June 2009 to August 2010. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now call the virus 2009 H1N1.

Review date:
October 30, 2010
Reviewed by:
Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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