Fitness fanatics face a dilemma when they get sick.
They know they feel better when they exercise, but there are times when they just don't feel like it. Doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas say if you have a viral infection, you're probably not going to perform well anyway, so working out while ill won't have a positive impact on your athletic ability. There's also a serious health issue. Exercising while you have a virus can increase the risk of developing a viral infection of the heart. Research has shown that intense exercise can temporarily weaken your immune system, so taking a break can speed your recovery from an infection or prevent a more serious one from developing.