By Michael Scholtz, M.A., Best Life fitness expert

The start of the sneezin' season is officially upon us. Should you persist and head to the gym despite a runny nose and cough? Or should you skip it and let your body recover? Here's how to decide.

Locate your illness. It's usually fine to exercise when symptoms are above the neck—sniffles, a headache and nasal congestion are generally not serious enough to require time off. You may want to take a day or two off if symptoms are below the neck. And no matter what other symptoms you have or how you feel, if you have a temperature higher than 99 degrees, do not exercise. A fever is a sign that you're working hard to fight off an illness; exercise only increases the stress on your body.

Lighten up. Light exercise can help clear sinuses if you're stuffed and may give you a temporary respite from related symptoms, like coughing, sneezing and sore throat. Be sure to keep your intensity level low.

Go solo. It's easy to spread germs to other exercisers when you have to share space and equipment with so many people in close quarters. Skip the gym and do a home workout or go outside, if weather permits.

Work out when you're well. In one study done at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, people who exercised at a moderate pace for 40 minutes per day took half as many sick days due to colds or sore throats as those who didn't exercise.