As it turns out, it canbut only for the short term.
Sex triggers endorphins that may provide temporary relief from symptoms, but those symptoms will come back quickly.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Does Having Sex When You’re Sick Make You Feel Better?
Verywell / Laura Porter
Sex does make your body release endorphins, which can temporarily make you feel better.
Sexual arousal may also temporarily relieve astuffy nose.This is becauseadrenalinemakes blood vessels constrict.
Reducing blood flow to vessels in the nasal passages and sinuses can help you breathe better.
These effects don’t last very long, though.
Can You Sweat Out a Cold With Sex?
There are risks to having sex when you’re sick, for both you and your partner.
Should You Have Sex When You’re Sick?
Respiratory illnesses arepassed through droplets and saliva.
Fevers are common when you’re sick with respiratory illnesses likeinfluenza (flu)or COVID-19.
see to it you’re well-hydrated before you resume any kind of exercise, including sex.
Does Sperm Help With Sickness?
How Do You Know if You’re Contagious?
The amount of time you’re contagious varies by illness.
Most common germs can spread during the first few days of symptoms.
Others can spread for as long as symptoms are present.
And, if you have a weak or suppressed immune system, you may be contagious for even longer.
Even if they initiateintimacy, you should bring up the risk.
Consider how your illness may affect your partner.
Are they in ahigh-risk groupthat is likely to have more serious symptoms than the average person?
Do they have a weakened immune system due to any medications or conditions?
If so, it’s probably not a chance worth taking.
Some chronic conditions can be worsened by sexual activity.
If you or your partner has one, ask your healthcare provider if you’re healthy enough for sex.
That’s especially important if you have a flu or other illness on top of your usual health issues.
The relief will be short-lived, however, and you might also pass your illness along to your partner.
Engaging in any kind of exercise should be avoided when you have a fever.
It is best to avoid having sex until you’re feeling better and are no longer contagious.
Demir M, Ozdem S.Evaluation of total antioxidant capacity in human seminal plasma.Int J Med Biochem.
2015;17(3):547-553. doi:10.22074/cellj.2015.15
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How flu spreads.
New York State.COVID 19: prevention & symptoms.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when youre sick.
