

{"id":43913,"date":"2019-12-12T05:18:23","date_gmt":"2019-12-12T05:18:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=43913"},"modified":"2026-02-27T11:27:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T11:27:25","slug":"sex-while-sick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/physical-intimacy\/sex-while-sick\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Helpful Tips for Having Sex While Sick &#038; Things to Remember"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-72568\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/sex-while-sick.jpg\" alt=\"Sick woman blowing nose, sitting under the blanket.\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some people believe that sex while sick can feel different or even more intense than usual. According to some, sex, while sick, is a special sort of a high. Some proponents of &ldquo;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bustle.com\/articles\/142287-does-having-sex-while-sick-help-5-things-to-know-about-getting-down-when-youre-feeling\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sex while ill&rdquo;<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> say it&rsquo;s because of the fever, that it&rsquo;s a natural form of intoxication, free of a hangover.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some suggest that sex during a cold might offer temporary relief, though these claims are more anecdotal than scientific. Is there any truth to these beliefs, and are there any<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/sex-relationships\/guide\/sex-and-health#1\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> benefits of sex when sick<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? We did our research, and here&rsquo;s what we&rsquo;ve found out.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"First-things-first-%E2%80%93-Can-you-catch-a-cold-from-sex\"><\/span><b>First things first &ndash; Can you catch a cold from sex?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most definitely, yes. Sex, while sick, might sound tempting. However, engaging in sexual activity while sick <strong>increases the likelihood of transmitting germs due to close physical contact<\/strong> and the exchange of bodily fluids.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This generally translates to a very high risk of catching a cold (or any other illness, for that matter).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">According to&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/experts\/christiana-njoku\" target=\"_blank\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Christiana Njoku<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, a certified relationship coach:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sex is good, no doubt, but care must be taken while engaging in it when you are sick. Remember, your partner is involved, and their health should be your priority.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the sick partner is running a fever, the chances are that they are very contagious, and you&rsquo;re most likely to catch a cold too.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, as many people say that they&rsquo;re incredibly eager to have sex while sick, your partner may be extra demanding to have sex when sick. It can sometimes be challenging to turn down a partner&rsquo;s advances, even when one of you is unwell.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If that happens to be the case, you may want to try some of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">positions<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that reduce the chances of catching a cold yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is-sex-while-sick-right-when-you-have-other-illnesses\"><\/span><b>Is sex while sick right when you have other illnesses?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, what about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/can-i-have-sex-when-im-sick-770343\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">other diseases<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? In some cases, you will probably not consider having sex while sick in the first place.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, if you have the flu, you&rsquo;ll probably be exhausted and in a mood for nothing but getting better. The flu is dangerous, although a common disease, and <\/span><b>you should avoid putting your partner at risk.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&rsquo;re going through a stomach bug, even if you might be in the mood for some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/physical-intimacy\/love-making-ideas-for-married-couples\/\">lovemaking<\/a> in between trips to the loo, you should be selfless and spare your loved one the torment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Stomach bugs can be highly contagious, and choosing to engage in sexual activity during such an illness might expose your partner to significant discomfort or illness.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does-sex-boost-your-immune-system\"><\/span><b>Does sex boost your immune system?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-72711 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/makeup-sex-when-one-of-you-realizes-they-were-wrong.jpg\" alt=\"good morning wishing couple at bedroom\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It does. As long as you orgasm, that is. Research suggests that regular sexual activity may contribute to overall well-being and even <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10903655\/#:~:text=.%2C%202013).-,Cortisol,et%20al.%2C%202004).\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">support immune function<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It most probably achieves this through several mechanisms, including contributing to the production of proteins responsible for fighting off disease. That is, it functions on the cellular level, which might be why <\/span><b>some people feel extra horny and love having sick sex.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, when sex is a display of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">love and intimacy<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it works the same way as any other form of closeness and support.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It makes us feel safe and loved. Belonging and having a soulmate reduce stress levels. And, as we all know by now, low levels of stress equal high immunity and overall health.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Watch this video to learn more about having sex when you&rsquo;re sick:<\/em><br><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/AArEm7TQV98\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5-tips-for-having-sex-while-sick\"><\/span><b>5 tips for having sex while sick<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, is sex good for you when you are sick? Does sex help with a cold? Can sex cure a cold?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While sex can have health benefits, it&rsquo;s important to approach it cautiously when one or both partners are sick to minimize risks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/health\/article-202043\/Fighting-cold-Have-sex.html\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It boosts your health<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and it makes you feel good. It can help prevent illness and even speed up recovery. To some extent, at least.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, even though <\/span><b>cold and flu viruses don&rsquo;t spread via sexual bodily fluids,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> it does spread when you&rsquo;re more than two meters away from someone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which you are during sex, not to speak of kissing and an occasional unpredictable sneeze. So, here are a few tips to make the best out of sick sex:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid kissing and too much closeness to your face to minimize the risk of getting your partner sick. Unless you&rsquo;re both ill, in which case, you can enjoy whatever you find pleasing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try positions that guarantee that your heads will be as much a part as possible to minimize the risk of transferring the virus to your partner, such as doggy style.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid oral sex if your nose is congested. No further explanation is needed, as you do need to breathe.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try having sex in the shower because the steam might help ease congestion and cough.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try to make sure that both of you are comfortable and enjoying yourself. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/physical-intimacy\/3-tips-for-better-sex-in-marriage\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good sex<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pleasures both of the partners, so make sure that both of you are fine with having sex while one or both of you are sick.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/physical-intimacy\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relax<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Although it&rsquo;s a bit of an unusual situation, don&rsquo;t stress over how it will go or if it will go at all. Try it, and if it doesn&rsquo;t work, laugh it off and go back under the blanket. You&rsquo;ll be up and getting it on again in no time!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":""},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Some people believe that sex while sick can feel different or even more intense than usual. According to some, sex, while sick, is a special sort of a high. Some proponents of &ldquo;sex while ill&rdquo; say it&rsquo;s because of the fever, that it&rsquo;s a natural form of intoxication, free of a hangover. Some suggest that sex during a cold might offer temporary relief, though these claims are more anecdotal than scientific. Is there any truth to these beliefs, and are there any benefits of sex when sick? We did our research, and here&rsquo;s what we&rsquo;ve found out. First things first <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":675,"featured_media":72568,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[31],"tags":[2525],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43913"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/675"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43913"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43913\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":117525,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43913\/revisions\/117525"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}