The cold, flu and sinus-infection season can be a tricky time to have surgery. While the ‘common’ cold can be just that, if your child is scheduled for an upcoming surgery, a respiratory illness can increase your child’s risk of complications under anesthesia.
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.
Other factors may also increase the risk of anesthesia complications when present with a cold:
Hopefully you and your family spend all winter illness-free but if not, here are some tips for what to do and what to expect if your child is sick and has an upcoming surgery:
Posted: 12/7/2015
Assistant Attending Anesthesiologist, Hospital for Special Surgery
Clinical Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medical College
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