Effects of Covid
COVID-19 is not a one-size-fits-all infection. Some patients claim to feel winded after crossing the room, but an estimated 40% of those infected will never show any symptoms at all.
That leaves a large portion of people with COVID-19 who feel well enough to go about their normal lives and some might wonder if they can even get a workout in while self-isolating. However, experts have recommended that COVID-19 patients with and without symptoms take it easy for at least a week after testing positive.
Advice
If you decide that you do want to try exercising while at home and isolating, our expert advises taking it slow and – most importantly – listening to your body. Dr Giuseppe Aragona says, “It is completely up to you whether you partake in exercise whilst having Covid. You know your body. You will be able to tell how bad your symptoms are and how you feel.”
But he adds, “It is probably advised to not to do any high impact or strenuous exercise. This could actually have adverse effects and you may end up feeling worse than before you started.”
For anyone feeling ill — especially those experiencing symptoms like fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes — avoiding exercise is the safest choice until you’re fully recovered.
“I would recommend that you postpone exercise if you are experiencing “below the neck” symptoms such as a cough, an upset stomach, chest congestion or breathing issues. Covid is a respiratory illness. Even if you feel fine, doing exercise could affect your breathing as you are still Covid positive,” he says.
“A fever is your body’s way of telling you to slow down. It’s essential to listen to your body. If you are suffering with a fever or some more of the major symptoms of Covid such as fatigue, body aches or breathlessness, then it’s best to rest for a few days until symptoms subside. Then you can ease back into slow impact exercise.” Asymptomatic people can typically return to exercise 7-10 days after testing positive.
Conclusion
So, while a HIIT workout is not advised for the time being, a gentle session on an exercise bike or yoga in the living room is completely fine.
It’s also completely fine to go into your back garden (if you have one) after you have tested positive for COVID-19. Therefore, if you’re looking to exercise with a change of scenery and get some fresh air, this is another option. However, this should be a private garden that’s shared only with other members of your household. If they are not positive for COVID-19 as well, go into the garden alone to avoid any potential transmission.
If you start your first low intensity exercise and feel like something might be amiss, stop your return to exercise and seek a doctor’s advice as soon as possible.
If, while doing light exercise, you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms before getting a positive COVID test, you may have contracted COVID. Therefore, you are advised to get tested as soon as possible. This ensure that those who are positive are able to limit their contact with those who have not contracted the disease.
Those who wish to get tested can have one with Seychelles Medical. You can book online at www.pcrtest.sc and choose where and when you would like to have your Covid-19 PCR test in Seychelles.
