Can I Run With a Cold?

It's definitely still cold and flu season. I know that not because anyone is my house is sick (knock on wood), but because of all the emails and questions I've been getting from runners who are suffering with runny noses, congestion, sore throats, and other symptoms.

So when is it OK to run with a cold? When deciding whether you should run with a cold, you can use the above/below the neck rule. If your symptoms are above the neck (runny nose, sneezing, sore throat) then, yes, you can run. Just take it easy and don't do any intense workouts. And stop running if you experience dizziness, nausea or profuse sweating. If your symptoms are below your neck (chest congestion, intense coughing, diarrhea, vomiting), let your illness run its course before you start running again. Running under those conditions increases dehydration and may lead to more serious issues. You also shouldn't run with a high fever. Take off a few days and rest until you're feeling better. If you're not sure if you're ready to return to running, it's always best to check with your doctor.

But, don't worry, you won't lose much fitness by missing a few days of running. You'll be back where you left off in no time.

Related:
Why Do I Always Get a Runny Nose When Running?
Can I Run With a Hangover?