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Exercise - colds and flu - Overview

Alternative Names

Flu and exercise; 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.

  • Reviewed last on: 10/30/2010
  • 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.

References

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. 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.

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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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