Can you exercise to sweat when you have a fever in summer?

Aug 22, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
Fever usually refers to an elevated body temperature. In general, whether it is safe to exercise and sweat when having a fever during summer depends on the specific circumstances. If the fever is mild and symptoms are not severe, light exercise with sweating may be appropriate. However, if the fever is high or accompanied by other discomforts, exercise and sweating should be avoided. After developing a fever, patients are advised to rest in bed. If body temperature continues to rise, medical attention should be sought promptly.

Fever generally refers to an elevated body temperature. In most cases, whether it's safe to exercise and sweat when having a fever during summer depends on the individual situation. If the fever is mild and symptoms are not severe, moderate exercise to induce sweating may be acceptable. However, if the fever is high or accompanied by other discomforts, exercising and sweating should be avoided. The details are as follows:

1. Acceptable

If a patient has only a low-grade fever and is otherwise in good physical condition without significant impact from the illness, light exercise to promote sweating may be appropriate. This can help accelerate metabolism and facilitate the elimination of toxins and bacteria from the body, thereby aiding in reducing the fever. However, after sweating, pores remain open, so it's important to stay warm and avoid catching a chill.

2. Not recommended

If a patient has a high fever accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and general weakness, they are likely physically weakened. In such cases, exercise and sweating should be avoided to prevent exhaustion or collapse. It is recommended that patients drink plenty of warm water during a fever to support metabolism and maintain warmth. Excessive physical activity may reduce immunity and delay recovery. Patients may use fever-reducing patches for physical cooling, and when necessary, take medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules or acetaminophen tablets under medical guidance.

After developing a fever, patients are advised to rest in bed. If body temperature continues to rise, they should seek medical attention promptly to determine the cause and receive proper treatment as directed by a healthcare professional.