Dra. Angélica Paulos 

Why should surgery be stopped if my child has a cold?

All respiratory infections cause hyperactivity of the airway, that is, the bronchi and trachea can more easily collapse during anesthesia. If this happens, the oxygen that is administered does not reach the lungs because the lumen of the bronchi or trachea is collapsed. This is known as an airway spasm. This is a serious situation that can lead to death, so it is advisable to suspend elective surgeries for at least 2 weeks after the respiratory infection has ended.