Flu and diving

[Zoomer]

After you have had the flu and you feel you are over it, how long before you dive?

 

[wjefferis]

It depends on the person ans how bad your flu was. If you were really congested and was coughing up lots of garbage from your lungs then you need to wait a couple of weeks. I talke to DAN about this after a bad sinus infection and their doctor told me to refrain from diving I believe for three weeks to allow my lungs to completly clear out. He said their was a risk of an over expansion injury cuased from air getting trapped in all the snot in my lungs while at depth if I went diving too early after a bad sinus/chest cold. I would call DAN and run it by them, the advice is free if you are a member.

 

[Zoomer]

I am a member and thank you.

 

[Rick Inman]

After you have had the flu and you feel you are over it, how long before you dive?

Today!

I've had 12 dry days now due to sickness - the most can remember in years. Yesterday I was back to about 80%, which is divable as far as I'm concerned.

My buddies told me I need a refesher. Ha ha...

Can't wait to hit the water tonight!

 

[Zoomer]

I hear ya... I really want to go... got my OW, last dive had a little ear trama, had to wait to get over that, than weather was bad and now this dang flu... but better to be safe than sorry...

 

[Buoyant1]

I had something the whole three weeks prior to my trip (down in Marathon, FL right now) I pretty much got over the nasty part of fmy "cold" on the way down, and had a few tiny flare ups...some I think may be allergies..I've been diving since I've been here..and pretty much feel great!

 

[bleeb]

While waiting in a line a few weeks ago, I was reading the local health dept's info about flu shots and noticed the comment that full recovery can in some cases take a couple of months or more. Unfortunately, it didn't say what might be doing the recovering, although I suppose maybe some minor lung damage could be the issue. Anyone know anything more?

The OP might also want to ask a moderator to move this thread to the Dive Medicine forum, where a few medical people hang out, and would provide more info.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I got bent once when coming off a flu. I think you need to be clear and should also feel well enough to go for a 15 minute jog. If you can handle that level of activity, then I would think that diving shouldn't be much of a problem.

 

[Bobyjimmie]

LOL Dumpster, I am betting there are plenty of people here who dont jog for 15 minutes as it is. You seriously got bent?? Thatll make me think twice before diving with a cold let alone right after getting over one.

 

[dkatchalov]

I got bent once when coming off a flu. I think you need to be clear and should also feel well enough to go for a 15 minute jog. If you can handle that level of activity, then I would think that diving shouldn't be much of a problem.

How do you know you getting bent was related to your flu?