Is it okay to exercise if I have a Cold?

With cold and flu season here people always ask "Is is okay to exercise if I have a cold?". Will exercises really help prevent cold and flue? How soon after an illness can I return to regular activity?

According to an expert from the American College of Sports Medicine, "multiple studies have shown a 25% to 50% decrease in sick time for active people who complete at least 45 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week".
Despite your best efforts, you might still end up getting the sniffles this winter. So what are some guidelines to follow when it comes to exercise?

• If you've got a cold that's above the neck (runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, etc.) then you should be okay to exercise if you're feeling up to it.
• If you have a cold that's below the next (in your chest) or if you have other symptoms like a fever or swollen glands, it's better to rest.
• Listen to your body. If you're not feeling good and you push it too much, the illness can end up hanging around longer.
• Once you're well again, ease back into exercise. You might find it takes a week or two (or maybe even longer, depending on how sick you were) to get back up to your pre-illness level.