When it gets cold outside and people crawl into the warmth, viruses and bacteria have an easy time of it. The heating air dries out the mucous membranes, making it particularly easy for pathogens to settle. About one to two days after infection, those affected feel the first symptoms: Sometimes the throat is scratchy, sometimes the nose tickles. Adults contract a common cold up to four times a year. Those who cycle regularly are less likely to catch it. "Endurance sport strengthens the immune system to fight viruses and bacteria, which is why cyclists catch colds less frequently than non-athletic people," emphasises Dr Tanja Engels, a general practitioner and sports physician from Bietigheim-Bissingen.
The reason for this is that viruses and bacteria do not only affect the body through contact with an infected person. In fact, everyone carries different types of pathogens all the time. As a rule, these are kept in check quite well by the body's immune police. However, if the defence system is weakened by other factors such as stress, little sleep, overly ambitious training sessions or cooling of the body, the pathogens can gain the upper hand. If several unfavourable influences come together, even well-trained endurance athletes are not immune to an outbreak of the disease.
A gentle walk for a cold
Although an upper respiratory tract infection is unpleasant, fortunately it is usually harmless. "If you have a cold without an accompanying headache and without sinus involvement, sport is permitted in moderation," says Dr Tanja Engels, giving the all-clear. Nevertheless, cyclists should always take even mild cold symptoms seriously and shift down a gear as a precaution. Because: If your nose is running, the cold is just about to take hold of your body. The immune system is then already working at full speed to prevent worse. "If you work up a sweat on the bike at this time, you'll weaken your already stressed body even more," warns the doctor. At best, this "only" reduces the efficiency of the body's self-healing powers and delays the healing process. However, it can also happen that other viruses or bacteria settle in the weakened body and possibly cause more serious illnesses.
The good news: cyclists who pedal comfortably to work every morning do not have to switch to the bus immediately if they show slight signs of illness. On the contrary: a simple cold can even improve as a result of the journey. After all, the moist air has a decongestant effect on the mucous membranes. In addition, they are better supplied with blood during sporting activity. This supports the body's defence against pathogens. However, it is important to pay careful attention to your body's signals when you are out and about. "If you have a cold, your heart rate is higher and you start sweating more easily," explains Dr Engels. Her tip: If you slow down your pace on the way so that your heart doesn't beat faster and you don't sweat more than on a healthy day, you don't risk a deterioration in your state of health.
Fever: Get off the bike
If other symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes or sore throat are added to normal cold symptoms, the GP should clarify the cause. Some bacteria, such as streptococci, can cause serious secondary illnesses, including myocarditis, if they are not properly cured. If a diagnosis is made, you should therefore initially refrain from sport.
The complete article was published in Trekkingbike issue 6/2010 and can be ordered in the DK-Shop.
You can download the individual articles as PDF files here.
