Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 6/26/2007

Question
QUESTION: I am having my wisdom tooth pulled tomorrow and my allergies are bothering me and i have a cough because of it, will they still be able to give me anestesia?

ANSWER: If you are not having a cold, there is no reason to cancel your case (but of course that is up to your physicians)

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: what if it is a cold?

Answer
If it is a cold (fever, chills, white count, etc) thenthey will likely postpone the procedure for 2 weeks. This reduces the risk of respiratory complications (which are more common in people having an active upper respiratory infection).

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston