Is an Immune System Booster Infusion Worth the Hype? I Tried It to Find Out

Fall is in full swing, which means a cold is inevitable—at least, it is for me. I can actually set the clock by the fact that I fall ill come October or November. Around this time every year, I’ll get the typical symptoms of a cold, like a sore throat or cough, and try every immune system booster I can think of to counteract them.

In fact, it’s happening now. For the past week I’ve been drinking ginger tea and hot lemon every day, downing supplements, and dressing as warmly as possible so my scratchy throat and runny nose don’t get any worse. But as is so often the case, I only started any of these preventative measures after it was already too late instead of keeping my immune system fit all year-round.

It made me wonder: Is there a quicker method to get healthy again? It turns out, maybe.

In my quest for a magic immune system booster, I remembered a new trend I had been coming across more and more: IV infusions that people claimed could get the body back in shape within minutes. These immune infusions, sometimes called IV therapy, are said to administer active ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants directly into the bloodstream. This supposedly works much faster than if these substances had to first pass through the stomach and intestines via gummies or pills.

Before this, I used to think of IV infusions as something that was used in hospitals when medically necessary. But in recent years they’ve become a whole lifestyle trend. I’ve read about antistress infusions that supposedly lower cortisol levels and instantly relax you, infusions for vegans to supplement their diet, and “glow” infusions that claim to provide more radiance from within. There are even hangover infusions for the day after a party. And, of course, ones that work as immune system boosters.

Curious and annoyed by my cold, I finally decided to test the Immune Drip infusion at DripDrip in Munich for myself.

Immune System Booster IV Infusion: What to ExpectWhen I entered DripDrip, I was surprised that the modern decor was more reminiscent of an interior design office than a place where medical treatments are carried out. I wasn’t sure how to feel about this—while I certainly don’t like the atmosphere at a doctor’s office, employees in white coats and disinfectant dispensers give a certain sense of security and convey respectability. That said, practices like DripDrip are more about the lifestyle aspect, so the rooms are furnished in a stylish and cozy way so you can make yourself comfortable during the IV therapy.

I chose one of these comfortable chairs for my DripDrip immune system booster infusion.

Lucy Binder

The basis of my immune system booster infusion was a saline solution (NaCl) that was enriched with various vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and antioxidants that are important for a healthy immune system.

“Immune infusions are not a ready-made cocktail but are mixed individually for the patient after a detailed medical history consultation,” explains Dr. Christian Merkel, a dermatologist at the Skin and Laser Center in Munich, which also offers immune infusions.

My IV drip.

Lucy Binder

After the IV drip was placed in the crook of my arm, I made myself comfortable with a coffee and a book while the infusion dripped into my vein. As this was my first infusion, I had imagined that a wave of energy would suddenly shoot through my body as soon as it entered my bloodstream. However, that feeling didn’t materialize. In fact, I didn’t feel anything at all during the treatment.

After 20 minutes the bag was empty, the immune booster cocktail was in my body, and it was time to go. Too bad, as I had just made myself comfortable and was already thinking about which infusion I would treat myself to next time. But as quick as the IV therapy session itself was, I recommend allowing about an hour for the treatment because a detailed medical history is taken beforehand.

So how did I feel afterwards? Unchanged. I’d hoped to jump up from the chair straight after the infusion with an energy that I’d been missing for a long time. Instead, I didn’t really feel anything at first. I still took it easy for the rest of the day and drank lots of water, and I was told to avoid physical activity in the hours after the infusion.

“Many patients feel much fitter just 30 minutes after an infusion,” Dr. Merkel says. “This is not necessarily due to the active ingredients, but to the fluid intake that goes directly into the blood.”

It wasn’t until the next day that I felt a difference—but more on that soon. First, let’s break down some frequently asked questions.

What is the cost of an immune system booster?

The cost of an immune system booster infusion like the one I did varies, and it’s important to choose a reputable provider or to have the infusion carried out in a medical practice. In general, the cost of an IV infusion is between $100 to $400. The Immun-Drip infusion at DripDrip costs about $170.

It can depend on the season as well as your own medical history. “Before the cold season, I would advise several infusions to build up the immune system,” says Dr. Merkel. “Ideally once or twice a week for a total of four to eight infusions.” Ask your doctor what they would advise.

Can the symptoms of a cold really be alleviated with an immune system booster such as an IV infusion?

“In the case of an acute, viral cold, the symptoms do not disappear with a 15-minute infusion,” says Dr. Merkel. “But at the first signs of a cold—such as a scratchy throat, feeling unwell, or a headache—the viral load is usually still very low, and it is still possible to ward off the cold with an immune infusion. However, this cannot be guaranteed.”

Are there any risks with an IV infusion?

“As with any medical treatment, there are risks, but these are very low with an immune infusion,” says Dr. Merkel. “The detailed initial consultation [before any treatment] is essential so that we doctors can find out whether there are any liver or kidney diseases, for example. In rare cases an allergic shock can occur, which is why infusions should be carried out in a doctor’s office. I would also not recommend an immune infusion to patients who regularly take dietary supplements. However, I would recommend the infusion to patients who are currently eating a very unhealthy diet or suffering from stress.”

What does an expert think of the IV therapy trend?

“The infusion trend is only just beginning, and there are still very few reliable studies on the effectiveness of them,” says Dr. Merkel. “I think there will be a lot more infusions in the future, but with a slightly different composition. I’m a proponent of infusions as long as they remain within reasonable limits. For example, if infusions are only used in phases like in the autumn months.” According to the expert, it’s more important to keep the body and immune system fit all year-round with a healthy diet, little stress, and plenty of sleep rather than relying on quick-fix methods.

As for my experience, even though I didn’t feel any effect during or immediately after the infusion, I noticed the next day that my cold symptoms had actually disappeared. I didn’t feel full of energy, but the sore throat I was waking up with every morning and the achy limbs were are gone.

My conclusion: An immune system booster infusion could help with mild complaints like mine. However, IV therapy is still relatively expensive—so I would only do it in the future if I had a special event coming up that I didn’t want to be ill for. In the meantime, I plan to strengthen my immune system all year-round so that it doesn’t let me down next fall.

A version of this article was previously published on Glamour Germany.