Diving after getting being sick?

NavyGuyAN

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• Sep 29, 2011

• #1

It's that time of year again when everyone seems to get sick with the colds, flu, sinus infections/congestions, etc...
My question is how soon after recovering from a severe cold or flu would it be "OK" to go diving again?
I know this may seem like a common sense question to everyone, but I dont want to be that guy that falls into the SDS (Stupid Diver Syndrome) catagory?

 

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Steve50

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• Sep 29, 2011

• #2

when you're ready

 

ScubaBB

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• Sep 29, 2011

• #3

I wait a week after a cold.

 

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LanceRiley

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• Sep 29, 2011

• #4

2days after a cold... i usually use saline solution to clear my nose.

 

Garrobo

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• Sep 29, 2011

• #5

As soon as you can breathe through your nose.

 

TSandM

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• Sep 29, 2011

• #6

The biggest determinants of this are the ability to equalize air spaces. You can easily test your ability to pressurize your ears on land . . . if it's impossible or even difficult, you should probably wait longer.

It is more difficult to estimate how easily you can equalize your sinuses, and sinuses, because of the small size of their openings, are more prone to reverse block. So I would say that, if you still have any significant degree of sinus stuffiness (nasal voice, facial pressure, etc.) you should wait.

There are studies which show that exercise prolongs the duration of viral illnesses, but it was significant exercise (and the study was in horses ).

 

g1138

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• Sep 29, 2011

• #7

For the common cold, it takes me a week to get over my congestion and runny nose. 2 weeks for my sinuses to clear up. And 3 weeks for my cough to go away.

If I have to, I'm able to dive 2 weeks after my cold. I prefer to wait until all symptoms are gone though. YMMV
As long as you can equalize and perform up to par then I say it's safe to go diving.

 

TMHeimer

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• Sep 29, 2011

• #8

Garrobo:

As soon as you can breathe through your nose.

Click to expand...

My very infrequent colds produce post nasal drip, due to mega-congestion. I'm usually dry for about 3 weeks. When I have just a little congestion left, but can breathe well through the nose I can go. That's the only time I have any trouble equalising, but it is minimal. I guess there's no exact way, just that if equalising is a problem you must abort. I imagine everyone is different.