How is general anesthesia going to affect me if I have a cold or flu?!
Question: The risk of respiratory complications is increased if you have an upper respiratory infection (cold). That would go double if you have a systemic illness like influenza.
We postpone elective cases when patients are sick. Surgery and anesthesia take a tremendous toll on healthy bodies, and if you're sick, you're just asking for complications. (Like, on a ventilator in the ICU complications, or wounds not healing complications)
In emergencies, we take sick people to the OR, but it's always better to avoid that.
Answers: The risk of respiratory complications is increased if you have an upper respiratory infection (cold). That would go double if you have a systemic illness like influenza.
We postpone elective cases when patients are sick. Surgery and anesthesia take a tremendous toll on healthy bodies, and if you're sick, you're just asking for complications. (Like, on a ventilator in the ICU complications, or wounds not healing complications)
In emergencies, we take sick people to the OR, but it's always better to avoid that.
You shouldn't be having an op if you have a cold or flu. Makes your immune system weaker and infection can travel to the operation sight where the wound itself can become infected. Can turn out really nasty.
If you don't reschedule the appointment, they will.
Feel better!
:)