Can You Have Surgery With a Cold?

The cold, flu and sinus-infection season can be a tricky time to have surgery. While the “common” cold can be just that, if you or your child is scheduled for an upcoming surgery, a respiratory illness can increase the risk of complications under anesthesia.

Read more to learn what to do if you get sick before a scheduled surgery.

• Why do respiratory illnesses increase anesthesia complication risks?
• What if I get sick before an upcoming surgery?
• What if I am sick with Covid before a surgery?
• How do I know if I have a cold, the flu, Covid, or something else?
• What if I only have a mild cold?
• Can I have surgery if I still have a lingering cough?
• Are there tips for staying healthy before surgery?
• How can I get rid of a cold before surgery?
• How long after being sick should I wait to have surgery?
• What should I do if my child gets sick before a surgery?

Why do respiratory illnesses increase the risk of anesthesia complications?

Respiratory illnesses such as colds, flu, or sinus infections may interfere with oxygenation – the delivery of oxygen to the body. This risk is increased for a few weeks after recovery from a respiratory (viral or bacterial) infection.

When sick with a cold or another respiratory illness, other factors may also present an increased risk for anesthesia complications, such as:

• a history of asthma
• a fever
• what type of surgery you or your child is having

What should I do if I get sick before an upcoming scheduled surgery?

If you have an operation scheduled and you become sick, you should contact your surgeon’s office and speak with the medical staff. Your medical team will determine whether surgery can proceed, or whether it should be rescheduled.

• Before surgery: If you believe you are too ill for scheduled surgery, contact your surgeon’s office and speak with the medical staff. Tell the providers about your symptoms, their durations, and any treatments you have received. They can help you figure out whether you should reschedule your procedure in advance, or whether you should proceed with your appointment and be evaluated by an anesthesiologist before surgery.
• The day of surgery: Your anesthesiologist will review your medical history and the history of your current illness to determine if you are at significant risk for complications under anesthesia.
• Making a decision about proceeding with surgery: If your risk for complications under anesthesia is significant and the surgery is not an emergency, it may be recommended to reschedule surgery. Your healthcare providers want to ensure that surgery proceeds as safely as possible.

What should I do if I am sick with Covid before a scheduled surgery?

Please let your surgeon’s office know if you are sick with Covid-19 prior to surgery. As the virus changes, so may the guidelines on testing, isolation, vaccination status, etc. which may change recommendations for when surgery is appropriate.

How do I know if I have a cold, the flu, Covid, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), or something else? Will this affect my surgeon’s advice about surgery?

A primary care doctor or other provider may be able to test you for the specific virus causing your symptoms. This may result in recommended treatments which could affect the duration of symptoms and the timing of surgery.

What if I only have a mild cold, or my symptoms are not severe?

Please still let your surgeon's office know of any symptoms ahead of surgery. And discuss even minor symptoms with your anesthesiologist the day of your operation. Depending on your personal medical history and planned surgery, the anesthesiologist can discuss the risks and benefits of proceeding with surgery.

Can I have surgery if I recovered from a cold, but I have a lingering cough?

A cough can often linger after resolution of an upper respiratory infection. Discuss any lingering cough or other symptoms with your anesthesiologist the day of surgery. Depending on your comorbidities, the type of procedure, and type of anesthesia planned, your anesthesiologist may have recommendations for how to proceed.

Are there any tips for staying healthy before surgery?

It can be difficult to stay healthy before a planned surgery, especially during peak respiratory infection season. Avoiding people who are actively ill and/or tested positive for a respiratory illness is very important. Limiting your time in crowded indoor environments and/or masking in those spaces can also limit exposure.

How can I get rid of a cold before surgery?

Unfortunately, there is no way to eliminate a "cold" prior to surgery. Some specific viruses do have treatments that can improve symptoms or shorten the course of illness, but these things may not be appropriate for every patient. This can be discussed with a primary care provider before surgery.

How long after being sick should I wait to have surgery?

How long after an illness to delay surgery will depend on the illness course, patient comorbidities, planned surgery, and lingering symptoms. Please call your surgeon's office to discuss the timing of rescheduling surgery if needed.

What should I do if my child gets a cold or other respiratory illness before a scheduled surgery?

If your child gets a cold or other respiratory illness before a scheduled surgery, you should contact the surgeon’s office and speak to the medical staff. Your child’s healthcare providers will ask about your child’s symptoms, their durations, and any treatments they have received. The medical staff can help you figure out whether you should reschedule your child’s surgery in advance, or whether your child’s surgery should proceed as scheduled with an evaluation by an anesthesiologist before surgery.

Updated: 9/12/2024

Authors

Related articles