Get Well Soon

Running Through—or After—Illness

Mononucleosis (Mono). Younger runners are especially hard-hit by mono, a viral infection whose effects linger for months. Rare is the high-school track team that escapes this illness entirely in any given year.

Rupture of the spleen—which can be fatal—is the greatest risk during the convalescent, or recovery, phase. As a result, conservatism, in the form of complete rest, is the best option. "I tell patients that they need to be a couch potato for ten weeks from the time of diagnosis," says Dr. Santoro. "After mono the recovery is variable from person to person, but in any case it is important to return slowly."

Hepatitis. This is an increasingly common illness, with newer forms of the virus continually being found. Some types resolve completely in weeks or months, while others must be managed over a period of years. "Hepatitis B is perhaps the most worrisome," notes Dr. Santoro, "but if liver function (as determined by a blood test) returns to normal, there should be no harm in returning slowly to running."

Drugs

Here’s a brief list of possible effects some commonly prescribed medications might have on your running:

Antibiotics. These comprise a wide variety of chemical compounds, and though most are generally harmless to runners, one class—the fluoroquinolones—can, according to Santoro, cause weakness and rupture of connective tissue (e.g. tendons), making alternative drugs better choices for athletes. Examples of fluoroquinolones include Cipro and Levaquin.

Antihistamines (Claritin, Allegra). These, notes Santoro, can often have a sedating effect, although he says the impact of this on exercise relates more to motivation than actual fatigue.

Bronchodilators/Asthma medications (Proventil, Ventolin). Many runners with asthma or exercise-induced asthma rely on drugs of this class for normal breathing function. Although some people may experience an increase in heart rate after using an inhaler, this, says Santoro, should not adversely affect performance.

Certain inhalers (Azmacort, Pulmicort) contain corticosteroids—drugs chemically distinct from their cousins, anabolic steroids. If taken correctly, the effects of these steroids on non-respiratory systems are negligible.

Antidepressants (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft). Santoro, who deals extensively with depressed patients, knows of no problems antidepressants can cause, and adds that running clearly helps treat the disease—depression—targeted by these drugs.

Certain older antidepressants, known collectively as tricyclics—Elavil and Pamelor are examples—carry a risk of cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), but this risk is not known to increase with running.

Birth-control pills. Many female runners lose their menstrual periods because of running, noted Santoro, and birth control pills would obviously restore them. Many women may not like one common side effect of birth-control pills: weight gain.

Hormone-replacement therapy (Premarin). "These drugs should not adversely effect running," says Dr. Santoro. "In fact, given that they help maintain a healthy heart by keeping cholesterol down, one could argue that they are beneficial." They also promote stronger bones, another benefit to runners.