Rare, but feared: myocarditis
A condition that causes great anxiety for many parents: inflammation of the heart muscle, known in medical terms as myocarditis. However, it is actually very rare in babies, children and young people, and when it does occur, it is very often mild. But ‘often’ does not mean ‘always’. There are occasionally severe cases, which is why it’s a good idea to know a little about the condition.
So, how does myocarditis develop? The problem is that there are quite a few viruses that can also affect the heart muscle. This can happen by chance, almost as if by fate. However, particularly in young people, it can also be triggered by them pushing themselves too hard too soon, even though they haven’t really recovered from an infection yet.
What are the symptoms? Adolescents in particular are noticeably listless and tire easily. For example, they might find themselves breathing heavily and sweating profusely during strength training when lifting weights they would otherwise manage with ease. In short: they are noticeably in worse physical shape. In babies, the typical symptoms are that they do not feed well, move very little and breathe too quickly. This should prompt an immediate medical assessment.
Finally, on the frequently discussed question: when is it safe to resume exercise after an infection? There is no hard and fast rule. It depends heavily on the symptoms and the course of the illness. What can be said is this: anyone with a fever, aching limbs and who simply isn’t feeling well should definitely not exercise. After that, it’s a matter of assessing on an individual basis how quickly you start to feel better. It is always wise and advisable to increase the intensity slowly and step by step, and to pay close attention to how you feel as you do so. If your pulse and breathing are as normal, continue to increase the intensity slowly and steadily. If it still doesn’t feel quite right, it’s better to pause, ease off and wait a few more days.
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