Sports and exercise during acute illness: recommending the right course for patients.

Active people who suffer acute infectious illness may have questions concerning participation in exercise or sports during their illness. Many patients are reluctant to "get behind" on their training or "let down the team." Physical activity, however, may worsen the condition, result in impaired performance, or infect others. On the other hand, some contagious diseases are relatively benign, and some activities don't affect others. Therefore, clinicians need to understand both the sport and the illness to know what level of activity to recommend. For example, solo exercise at a reduced intensity is generally safe for patients whose symptoms are above the neck.

Exercising-or Not-When You Are Sick.

You're not feeling great. You have a sore throat, stuffy head, and runny nose. But you feel like you could maybe log a few road miles. Should you?

Anabolic steroid abuse.

Anabolic steroids are capable of increasing strength and muscle bulk in certain individuals when combined with a proper diet and an intense training program. Any steroid that is anabolic is also androgenic. Anabolic steroids are fraught with numerous side effects, a few of which are potentially life threatening, and some of which are permanent. Most of the side effects are mild and reversible. Use of anabolic steroids in sports is as much a moral issue as a medical one. Drug testing has not been a very successful means to eradicate abuse in the sporting arena. Education alone is probably not the answer to stopping anabolic steroid abuse but is an essential first step in combating this problem. Use of anabolic steroids in athletes is a form of cheating, and use will likely continue, especially if the rewards for success in sports remain so high. Physicians should avoid condemning individuals who choose to use anabolic steroids and encourage discussion of use with their health providers.