"If your symptoms are above the neck, including a sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing, and tearing eyes, then it's OK to exercise," he says. "If your symptoms are below the neck, such as coughing, body aches, fever, and fatigue, then it's time to hang up the running shoes until these symptoms subside."

Does exercise make a sore throat worse?

The model suggests that when you're well or have a minor upper-respiratory infection—like a head cold or sore throat—moderate amounts of exercise won't hurt you, and may even help your immune cells reach all the areas they need to in your body (think the downward curve of the “J”).

How long after tonsillitis can you exercise?

If you don't rest, your sickness may get worse. For example, if you work out when you're experiencing a sore throat, the symptoms could worsen and develop into something more serious such as bronchitis. After you get over a respiratory illness, you should also wait two weeks before working out again.