How Should You Have Sex If You've Got A Cold Or The Flu?

First, Colds and Flus Are Viruses. Remember That.

The first thing to keep in mind about colds as well as the flu is they are caused by viruses — contagious ones at that. As far as what makes them different — well, the flu is always caused by the same virus (the influenza virus) while a cold can be the result of a variety of different kinds.

Something else to keep in mind is while cold symptoms tend to happen gradually (like you might get a sore throat and then a runny nose and then a cough), the flu (and its symptoms) can oftentimes hit you like a ton of bricks. Also, the flu tends to be more severe than colds and,unless you get an ear infection while you have a cold, very rarely do you need medical intervention for one. The flu, on the other hand,can sometimes turn into pneumonia, bronchitis or a nasty sinus infection.

However, with all that I just said, the main thing to keep in mind when it comes to having sex with your partner is the fact that, again, colds and the flu are contagious. Colds? Typically, folks can catch what you’ve got during the first 3-4 days of coming down with one. The flu? This can happen during the initial seven days.

Okay, but what if, even knowing the risks, you can’t wait that long to getsome good-good? Are there any possible workarounds?

ABSOLUTELY.

Wait Until You Don’t Have a Fever

Although two things that most of us hate most about getting sick are having a fever and dealing with mucus, both are our body’s way of fighting infection​s. And that is why a fever isn’t “bad”; however, when it comes to having sex, it’s important to keep in mind that there’s a great possibility that you are contagious if you happen to have one. Plus, if health experts frown on you going to work while you have a fever because you might get others sick, how much more could this be the case if you are umm, sharing yourself, while your body temperature is above 98.6? Yeah, yo​ur best bet is to at least wait for your fever to break — just to be on the safe side.

Kissing Is (Probably) Something to Pass On

Personally, I don’t even have testimonies of having sex without kissing being involved. Hell, to me, that is one of the best parts of the experience. That said, though, if you heard somewhere that you can exchange millions of bacteria (which is a type of germ,just like a virus is) in just one French kiss,that ain’t a myth. In fact, you can actually give each other a whopping 80 billion bacteria in a mere 10-second exchange — and if one of you has a cold or the flu and you’re contagious…well, you are basically begging to get sick.

So, although you will see in a moment that pleasurable sex is absolutely possible even if/when you are sick, if there is one thing that you should probably take a hard pass on, it’s kissing. Sorry.

Hand and Mouth Action Are Probably Your Best Bet

First up — there is sex and then there is sexual activity. That said, being that being all up in each other’s face is the easiest way to exchange germs, never underestimate the power of a hand job, some mutual masturbation or some good old-fashioned fingering (just sayin’). Oh, and also don’t rule out oral sex. Since the cold and the flu typically travel via droplets via actions like sneezing and coughing, you don’t really have to worry about giving each other anything (cold or flu-wise, that is) from fellatio or cunnilingus. Give thanks. GIVE THANKS.

In Fact, Sperm Can Help You to Heal Faster

I’m always going to be a fan of sperm — and I mean that just as literally as I am saying it. That’s why, over the years, I’ve written articles for the platform like “How To Improve The Taste Of Sperm,” “Ice Cream, Sperm & Other Random Things That Are Good For Your Health,” “Do You Swallow? The Unexpected Health Benefits Of Sperm,” and “Umm...Wanna Learn How To Swallow? Try These 10 Hacks.” There are a billion reasons why I find it to be a blessed thing — one of them is the fact that it contains nutrients that can actually help you to heal from a cold or the flu faster.

I’m not kidding. There is melatonin in sperm that can help you to get more quality sleep (which definitely can help to speed up the healing process). There are antioxidants in sperm that can help you to get through a cold or the flu faster while putting you in a better mood in the process.

Sperm also contains properties that can help you to feel less stressed. So, if you are in a long-term exclusive or monogamous (because they are not the same thing; check out “Why I Use The Word 'Monogamous' In Marriage And 'Exclusive' In Dating”) relationship where getting tested regularly is a part of y’all’s dynamic and/or if the act of fellatio is totally your thing — partaking in sperm when you are under the weather can actually do your body a lot of good…on dozens of different levels, to be exact.

Opt for Positions Where You Aren’t in Each Other’s Faces

On the heels of what I said about kissing, I’m sure you get why this tip makes sense — and thankfully, there are several sexual positions that are hella satisfying that can also decrease your chances of giving each other whatever bug one of you happens to have: doggy style, reverse cowgirl, the pretzel dip, the leapfrog and the cat iron (which is one of my personal faves) all come to mind.

If you’re down for the cause yet you aren’t sure what some of these positions require, clickhere. Women’s Health did you a solid by providing illustrations and commentary for each and every one.

Change Your Bedding Afterwards. Every Time.

One more tip — but first, let’s debunk something. If a part of you has read this and you’re like, “Well, you can also ‘sweat out a cold’, so having sex when you’re sick makes even more sense”…although I hate to burst your bubble, that is actually a myth, sis. Although viruses like the cold and flu aren’t exactly thrilled if/when your body temperature goes up, the heat isn’t so powerful that it causes them to weaken. Unfortunately.

Still, whether sex leads to sweating or not, please make sure that you change those doggone sheets after every session. Droplets are sure to fall on your bedding (including your pillowcases) during the act(s) and changing your sheets can decrease the chances of you and/or your partner getting or staying sick for a longer period of time. In fact, some health experts say that it’s a wise practice to change your sheets every three days during cold and flu season whether you are currently sick or not — just to be on the safe side.

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If you’re the type of person who feels absolutely miserable whenever you get sick to the point that sex is the last thing that is on your mind, I get it. Oh, but if what you hate the most about having a cold or the flu is thinking that you have to deny yourself in the intimacy department — now you know that you don’t.

Follow these tips and enjoy all of what sex has to offer…sans the kissing, of course.

All good. No, really.