Can surgeons operate when they are sick?

Question

i know they were a mask so could they still operate? Just curious.....

Answer 1

If it's a cold then they most certainly shouldn't operate.

Any non-infectious disease which doesn't affect a surgeon's performance won't affect an operation though.

Answer 2

They can't. Wearing a mask is not adequate. Sickness doesn't only deal with contagiousness. They have to be mentally fit for an operation. And the mask - well, they always wear it. Besides, a surgeon would just not commit himself to a surgery if he were sick in the first place, isn't it?

I am no surgeon, and have no background supporting my answers, but I only think it obvious enough. Sorry if I am misleading you.

Answer 3

Yes, they do, as long as they are physically capable.  I've seen surgeons cancel cases when they have bad GI upset or migraines, but not for much else.

Unlike the majority of the population, physicians don't usually call in sick.  We work with colds and many minor ailments.  People make appointments months in advance, and expect to be seen.  Rescheduling is a pain for everyone.

In the OR, everyone wears a mask, and those involved in the surgery do a surgical scrub.  Many times, the patient is intubated, and isn't breathing what's in the air, so they aren't going to catch anything that way.

I'm guessing the other answerers here don't work in an OR.