Swimming with a cold

RE: Swimming with a cold

Former Member — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 06:34:24 GMT

I know that I tell my swimmers not to get in with a cold unless they are on antibiotics that don't have any significant side effects. All the best! Antibiotics don't help colds. Colds are viral, and antibiotics will do absolutely nothing except build resistance to them.

RE: Swimming with a cold

norascats — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 07:36:58 GMT

I vote for the insurance companies to pay for a week at a sunny ocean beach as a remedy for colds and their nasty consequences. I think the health benefits will definitely offset the cost.

RE: Swimming with a cold

philoswimmer — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 01:40:58 GMT

I have a cold and I am ticked. I came down with it three days ago. I could feel it during that day's practice, but I was able to make my sets. I decided to take Friday and Saturday off because I feel lethargic, and here it is Sunday. Next Saturday I have an open water mile swim to do and I am getting frustrated thinking this cold will set me back mentally and physically. Each deep breath results in a cough. I can't swim like that right? Seems like if you lose 3-4 days in the pool, you might as well miss a month. The same thing happened to me recently. My only "good news" is that after I'd decided I wasn't up for my open water swim, it got canceled anyway. If you are still coughing when you take deep breaths, I would not do the mile swim. At best it will be extremely unpleasant. I sympathize. :(

RE: Swimming with a cold

Former Member — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 06:47:33 GMT

RE: Swimming with a cold

poolraat — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 03:15:08 GMT

.. Next Saturday I have an open water mile swim to do ... I'm going to do that one too. Track me down and introduce yourself.

RE: Swimming with a cold

Former Member — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:00:26 GMT

I swam today with a cold. I have no fever, and no infection, just congestion. I was pleased at how my swim was sort of a 'vacation' from my cold. The symptoms vanished during the swim. Afterwards (1000 yards), I felt rejuvinated, and my sinuses felt less congested. Anyone else have this experience? I'd never go in with a fever, etc., being a big contagious germ carrier, but then chlorine would take care of that I think....but why take chances? Marian Well, I guess it all depends on your condition... but I had a bad experience. I was sick for 2 wks with chest congestions, fever, and fatigue. I felt okay at wk3 and was able to run and swim slowly. I went to ocean swim(1 mile) and felt so bad right after the start. I could not get air in... So, I will not get in water until I feel 100% better. I would do running/walking, stretch, and weights instead...

RE: Swimming with a cold

bzaks1424 — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 09:18:01 GMT

Clean your goggles when you're done and touch them as little as possible during practice. The last thing you want is Pink Eye! :afraid:

RE: Swimming with a cold

swimshark — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 07:24:56 GMT

I have a more specific question to ask: is it ok to swim with an earache, and, if I am prone to getting water in my ears, should I swim with earplugs? I never used to... Have you had the ears checked to make sure you don't have an ear infection? Do you wear a cap to help keep the water out? I pull mine down as far as it will go to keep the water out as much as it will. I also use AuroDry to get any water out that gets in. I found the home made remedy didn't work as well on me.

RE: Swimming with a cold

Bobinator — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:34:27 GMT

If your ears are troubling you try the silicone ear plugs and put a small amount of alcohol(or something with a drying effect) in your ear canal to dry the water up after your swim. I've also found a warm neti pot after swimming helps my ears and sinuses feel better after swimming with a cold.

RE: Swimming with a cold

Former Member — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:19:06 GMT

Having a cold means going to the beach, swimming in the salt water, clearing out the sinuses, breathing fresh sea air, and taking in the healing power of the sun's rays while it drys off the body leaving lots of salt residue. I can't imagine doing this in a pool. I'm guilty of training while sick, however, I don't do this anymore, since training with a low resistance may allow viruses and bacteria to penetrate and damage the heart. The first question my ear doctor asks: is where do you swim? Because fungus love to grow inside my ear causing inner ear infections, pain and wrecking my balance. So yes, wear ear plugs to keep moisture out of your ear.:cool:

RE: Swimming with a cold

Former Member — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:29:13 GMT

I have a more specific question to ask: is it ok to swim with an earache, and, if I am prone to getting water in my ears, should I swim with earplugs? I never used to...

RE: Swimming with a cold

Former Member — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:01:21 GMT

OMG, LOL, It's still really gross.

RE: Swimming with a cold

Former Member — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:59:44 GMT

I just LMAO

RE: Swimming with a cold

Former Member — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:23:12 GMT

My high school and college coach would have laughed at me if I suggested I miss a workout due to a cold. You would have to be on death's door, with a confirming Dr's note to get the OK to skip a workout due to illness. Honestly, everyone swam through everything in college, and I don't remember anyone getting more complicated illnesses by swimming through colds, etc. Now that I am old and lazy, I regularly sleep in and miss workouts when I have a cold...

RE: Swimming with a cold

Former Member — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:28:27 GMT

Just wondering where all that congestion goes when it leaves your head........Remind me not to share a lane with you under these particular circumstances! I'm thinking it's best for all concerned if you stay out of the pool until the cold goes away. Maybe I'm just a germaphobe. Somehow, this should be worked into the circle-versus-split-the-lane thread. Maybe when someone asks if they can share my lane, I should just honk out a big snot, leave it on my upper lip, say "Sure, no problem!" and just push off. I'll bet they won't be in the lane when I get back after 50 yards!

RE: Swimming with a cold

aztimm — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:26:42 GMT

Towards another thread about the runner who died in New York. If he had a cold it is possible that he blocked some oxygen and the heart couldn't get enough oxygen to itself or to major muscles. Interesting thought. I run and notice I start to get stomach cramps 1 or 2 times during a long run. I also have asthma, and carry my inhaler with me. As soon as I feel a cramp coming on, I take the inhaler. It may not entirely prevent them, but the cramps don't last very long. At most, I may have to walk for a minute.

RE: Swimming with a cold

Former Member — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:46:37 GMT

I was once told by my asthma doctor to never swim with a cold period, no questions. Most people swallow phlegm all the time, we just don't know it. Isn't that lovely. The reason we notice it with a cold is that there is so much more phlegm. I think most doctors have rethought the idea that if it is above the neck it is okay to workout. Most say never workout if sick. Towards another thread about the runner who died in New York. If he had a cold it is possible that he blocked some oxygen and the heart couldn't get enough oxygen to itself or to major muscles.

RE: Swimming with a cold

Midas — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 07:04:16 GMT

I've had a cold for over two weeks and have been out of the water for most of that time. I finally got to the nurse practitioner today. He said I can swim if I want to, so long as I continue not to have a fever. He did not make the above/below neck distinction and since my cold is in my chest, clearly thought about it. He did not think that continued exercise while sick with a cold would cause any issues with my heart (again, provided I didn't have a fever). I might get in and swim in the next day or so...

RE: Swimming with a cold

Former Member — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 12:26:46 GMT

wow- good to know- THANKS

RE: Swimming with a cold

swoomer — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 08:36:58 GMT

RE: Swimming with a cold

Former Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:41:17 GMT

I think myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle - could it be caused by swimming with a cold? Seems like a rather dire consequence. I agree that myocarditis is the inflamation of the myocardium (the muscular part of the heart). It is a condition that is driven by an infection (viral or bacterial). If you have the common cold (generally viral) it could very well turn into myocarditis. As much as I wouldn't like to think so, there is evidence that shows 20% of deaths in young adults is due to myocarditis. Now, obviously not all of those are swimmers who are out there practicing with colds, but it is still a relevant concern. I know that I tell my swimmers not to get in with a cold unless they are on antibiotics that don't have any significant side effects. All the best!

RE: Swimming with a cold

Former Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:03:07 GMT

I think myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle - could it be caused by swimming with a cold? Seems like a rather dire consequence.

RE: Swimming with a cold

Former Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 09:58:26 GMT

I have heard that swimming while having a cold can cause a condition called myocarditis. Before I heard of this, I swam once last march while having a cold. The cold seemed to have receded temporarily and I felt great thinking swimming cured my cold, and I thought this would be what I'd do in future if I had a cold again. But in the following days the cold progressed into the worst cold I had ever had, I almost suffocated due to the congestion. Used one big box of Kleenex per day. Would never want that happen again.

RE: Swimming with a cold

Former Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 09:56:08 GMT

Next time I feel one coming on, I'm heading to a warm beach. Maybe even Hawaii. Will work for my nose AND noggin, and guaranteed I will have better effects on people when I get back, though they might get sick of hearing about it. DV

RE: Swimming with a cold

Former Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 05:57:06 GMT

I think I might try it (swimming with a cold). I'll let you know how it works out.