How to get rid of sore throat while pregnant

Strep Throat While Pregnant: Symptoms and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Michael Weber, M.D. — By Jessica Timmons on August 1, 2016

Intro

During pregnancy, you may enjoy perks like glowing skin and thick hair. Unfortunately, being pregnant doesn’t offer protection against a bacterial infection like strep throat. As unfair as it seems, you can come down with strep throat while you’re pregnant.

The good news is, not every sore throat automatically means that you have a strep infection. Still, it’s worth recognizing the symptoms and treatment options for strep throat in case you catch it during your pregnancy.

Risks of strep throat during pregnancy

This bacterial infection makes your throat sore and scratchy, along with other unpleasant symptoms. Usually, it’s accompanied by a fever and general exhaustion.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a strep throat infection that is left untreated can cause potentially serious complications including kidney inflammation and rheumatic fever.

Strep throat comes from bacteria known as Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A streptococcus. Sometimes, it’s confused with Group B streptococcus. This is a separate, unrelated bacterium that can be found in the vaginal or rectal area. A mother can pass this type of infection to her baby during delivery. It isn’t related to the bacteria that cause strep throat.

Group A streptococcus, which does cause strep throat, is a very contagious bacterium that spreads easily. You could catch it if someone with the infection sneezes or coughs and you inhale airborne droplets. You can also catch it if they’re sharing food or drinks with you. The bacteria can also survive on surfaces like doorknobs and then be transferred from your hand to your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Symptoms of strep throat

It can be difficult to separate various aches and pains during your pregnancy, but symptoms of strep throat will be noticeably different.

Symptoms of strep throat include:

very painful throat
red, swollen tonsils
headache
white spots in the throat or tonsils
significant lack of energy, general weakness, and fatigue
difficulty swallowing and eating
swelling around the neck
enlarged lymph nodes
fever
loss of appetite
cough

Other symptoms of strep throat can include nausea, difficulty breathing, and abdominal pain. You don’t need to be experiencing every symptom noted above to have strep throat, but if you have a few of them, it’s worth speaking to your doctor.

If your symptoms point to strep throat, a quick test will confirm your suspicions. Your doctor will use a swab to collect a culture from your tonsils, and then have the results reviewed.

How is strep throat treated during pregnancy?

Antibiotics are prescribed to treat strep throat. During pregnancy, medications need to be carefully monitored. That’s why medications are assigned a pregnancy risk factor classification.

These ratings are intended to help you and your doctor make the best decision about medications during your pregnancy. Follow the guidelines below.

Category A is the best rating for a medicine: It means that controlled studies show no risk or no evidence of harm to you or your baby.
Category B medicine should be taken with caution: It means that animal studies haven’t shown risk, but no controlled studies have been performed on pregnant women.

Cephalexin, amoxicillin, and penicillin are three common antibiotics used to treat strep throat.

Cephalexin is a category B medication. Studies in animals show that it doesn’t impact fertility or hurt the developing baby. This medication does cross the placenta to the baby. There aren’t currently any reliable studies in pregnant women. For those reasons, this medication should only be used during your pregnancy when there aren’t other options.
Amoxicillin is a category B medication. Animal studies have shown no adverse effects on the developing baby. Again, it’s recommended only when the benefits outweigh the potential risks.
Penicillin is also in category B. In women with no penicillin allergy, it has shown no negative impact on the growing baby. Penicillin does pass into breast milk, but there are no reported negative side effects.

If you test positively for strep throat, you and your doctor can discuss your options.

Home remedies for strep throat during pregnancy

There are also home remedies to help relieve the discomforts of strep throat. You can try the following:

Gargle with warm salt water to help your sore throat feel better.
Avoid cold liquids, which can aggravate a sore throat. Instead, try caffeine-free herbal teas, such as chamomile or lemon tea with cinnamon. Be sure to stay hydrated.
Get plenty of rest to allow your body to heal.

Next steps

Staying hydrated is a great way to reduce the risk of infection during pregnancy, so remember to drink your water. It’s also a good idea to be diligent about washing your hands before eating and after you’ve been out in public.

If you suspect strep throat during your pregnancy, speak to your doctor right away. Diagnosing strep as soon as possible means you can begin treatment. That’s the quickest way to avoid complications and start feeling better.

Last medically reviewed on August 1, 2016

Parenthood
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Health

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Mayo Clinic staff. (2015, December 16). Strep throat
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/strep-throat/symptoms-causes/dxc-20165964
Medication and pregnancy. (n.d.)
americanpregnancy.org/medication/medication-and-pregnancy/
Strep throat during pregnancy. (2015, August)
americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-complications/strep-throat-during-pregnancy/

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Aug 1, 2016

Jessica Timmons

Edited By

Nizam Khan (TechSpace)

Medically Reviewed By

Michael Weber, MD

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Michael Weber, M.D. — By Jessica Timmons on August 1, 2016

Treating a Cold or Flu When Pregnant

Share on Pinterest

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

When you become pregnant, everything that happens to you can affect not just your body but the fetus, too. This can make dealing with being sick more complicated. Before pregnancy, if you got a cold or became sick with the flu, you may have taken an over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant. Now that you’re pregnant, you might wonder whether it’s safe. Although medications can relieve your symptoms, some may harm a developing fetus. But treating a cold or flu during pregnancy doesn’t have to be a stressful experience, and you can take many medications while pregnant.

Medications

According to most OB-GYNs, it’s best to avoid all medications in the first

12 weeks

of pregnancy. That’s a critical time for the development of a fetus’s vital organs. It’s a good idea to speak with your doctor if you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant and currently taking medication or considering taking medication. Several medications are considered safe after 12 weeks of pregnancy. These include:

topical menthol
nasal strips
cough drops or lozenges
acetaminophen (Tylenol) for aches, pains, and fevers
cough suppressant at night
expectorant during the day
calcium-carbonate (Mylanta, Tums) or similar medications for heartburn, nausea, or upset stomach
plain cough syrup
dextromethorphan (Robitussin) and dextromethorphan-guaifenesin (Robitussin DM) cough syrups

Avoid all-in-one medications that combine ingredients to tackle many symptoms. Instead, choose single medications for the symptoms you’re dealing with. You should also avoid the following medications while pregnant unless your doctor recommends you take them. They increase the risk for problems:

aspirin (Bayer)
ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
codeine
Bactrim, an antibiotic

Home remedies for cold and flu during pregnancy

When you get sick while pregnant, your first steps should be to:

Get plenty of rest.
Drink a lot of fluids.
Gargle with warm salt water if you have a sore throat or cough.

If your symptoms worsen, you might want to try:

saline nasal drops and sprays to loosen nasal mucus and soothe inflamed nasal tissue
breathing warm, humid air to help ease congestion; a facial steamer, hot-mist vaporizer, or even a hot shower can work
chicken soup to help relieve inflammation and soothe congestion
adding honey or lemon to a warm cup of decaffeinated tea to relieve a sore throat
using hot and cold packs to alleviate sinus pain

Is it a cold or the flu?

The common cold and the flu share many symptoms, such as a cough and runny nose. However, a few differences can help you tell them apart. If your symptoms are generally mild, then you likely have a cold. Also, chills and fatigue are more likely with the flu.

Things you can do to reduce your risk

When you’re pregnant, your body’s immune system becomes weaker to prevent your body from rejecting the fetus. But, it also leaves you more vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections. Pregnant people are also

more likely

than nonpregnant folks their age to have flu complications. These complications may include pneumonia, bronchitis, or sinus infections. Getting a flu vaccination can reduce your risk of infection and complications. Other things you can do to reduce your risk of getting sick include:

washing your hands often
getting enough sleep
eating a healthy diet
avoiding close contact with sick family or friends
exercising regularly
reducing stress

When should I call my doctor?

Although most colds don’t cause problems for a fetus, you should take the flu more seriously. Flu complications increase the risk of premature delivery and birth defects. Get immediate medical help if you experience the following symptoms:

dizziness
difficulty breathing
chest pain or pressure
vaginal bleeding
confusion
severe vomiting
high fever that isn’t reduced by acetaminophen
decreased fetal movement

The

CDC

recommends treating pregnant people with flu-like symptoms immediately with antiviral medications. Call your doctor’s office if you have any questions or you’re not sure your symptoms are worrisome.

Takeaway

Getting sick while pregnant can be particularly unpleasant, and you might wonder whether it’s safe to take OTC medications to ease your symptoms. Generally, doctors recommend avoiding medications in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. If you’re currently taking medication for a condition or it’s after 12 weeks, and you want to take something to reduce cold or flu symptoms, it’s a good idea to talk with a doctor about what’s safe and what you should avoid.

Sore throat during pregnancy

What to do if the mother-to-be gets sick? Consider acceptable methods of treating a sore throat during pregnancy.

The appearance of pain in the throat, perspiration during the period of bearing a baby often causes a lot of unrest in expectant mothers. This is not at all surprising, because any infection suffered by a woman during pregnancy can adversely affect the development of the fetus in the womb. Why do sore throats occur during pregnancy? Consider the most likely reasons.

Causes of sore throat

The main cause of discomfort and sore throat during pregnancy is bacterial or viral flora on the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx or exacerbation of existing chronic diseases. Sometimes perspiration can be observed against the background of problems with the stomach, when the contents of the stomach are thrown into the oropharynx. Very rarely, the cause of pain when swallowing can be a foreign body.

If, in addition to sore throat, you also have an elevated body temperature and swelling of the mucous membrane of the pharynx, then most likely that you develop acute inflammatory process. This condition requires a woman to immediately consult a doctor, because many pathogenic microorganisms can freely penetrate the placental barrier, thereby causing developmental abnormalities in the baby. No need to try to treat a sore throat on your own at home, or even worse, ask for recommendations about treatment at the nearest pharmacy. Only the gynecologist leading the pregnancy can prescribe the drug that is most safe for the fetus in the womb, and, if necessary, refer to other specialists.

First aid for sore throat

During pregnancy, it is especially important not to start the disease and to eliminate all its clinical signs at the initial stage. So, if you feel a sore throat, not very pronounced pain when swallowing and discomfort while eating, but the body temperature remains within the normal range, then you can try alternative methods of treatment and local antiseptics.

Excellent help at the initial stage of a sore throat inhalation with the addition of a decoction of sage or chamomile. These medicinal plants have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect and do not cause any side effects on the fetus growing in the womb.

Raspberries, cranberries and lingonberries are natural antibiotics. For sore throats, warm raspberry tea or freshly prepared lingonberry and cranberry juice helps well. Perfectly relieve pain, perspiration and swelling of the mucous membrane of the pharynx, gargling with infusions of medicinal plants (oak bark, chamomile, sage).

In addition to the traditional treatment of sore throats during pregnancy, try to avoid eating too hot or cold food and liquids. Compliance with a certain temperature regime is necessary so as not to additionally injure the inflamed mucous membrane of the pharynx. As a rule, if treatment with folk remedies was started immediately, then the mucous membrane of the pharynx is restored after 2-3 days.

Folk remedies

Milk with honey

For sore throat accompanied by difficulty in swallowing, warm milk with honey is very helpful. It is better to drink such a drink before going to bed and immediately cover yourself with a warm blanket. Until the morning, the pain in the throat will be almost imperceptible. In addition, warm milk with honey has a calming effect on the nervous system and helps the expectant mother fall asleep quickly.

Chamomile

Chamomile is a very effective folk remedy for the first symptoms of pharyngitis, tonsillitis. This plant has strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. To prepare herbal infusion, add 1 tablespoon of chamomile flowers to 1 liter of hot water. Put this mixture in a water bath and boil for 15 minutes, then strain and pour into a thermos. Use a warm infusion for gargling. Sage grass and oak bark have similar properties.

Prevention of viral infections during pregnancy

To prevent diseases during pregnancy, it is often recommended to spend time outdoors, eat healthy and healthy, and avoid crowded places. In the apartment, ventilate the room more often, maintain the optimum temperature regime - 22 degrees, air humidity in the room - 70-80%. Daily wet cleaning.

To prevent vitamin C deficiency during pregnancy, you can drink rosehip broth, cranberry fruit drinks. Thus, you not only maintain your immunity, but also strengthen blood vessels.

Essential oils are an excellent way to prevent many viral diseases. Only gynecologists do not recommend the use of aromatherapy in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Oils such as fir, eucalyptus, lemon, orange, grapefruit have a pronounced antiseptic effect. You can add 3-4 drops to a container of water and place near heating appliances or drip into an aroma lamp.

Consequences of a sore throat for an expectant mother

No matter how sad it may sound, in most cases we take our health very lightly. It is especially sad when pregnant women do not monitor their health. After all, they are responsible not only for themselves, but also for the baby growing in the stomach. When the first symptoms of the disease occur, including sore throat, the expectant mother should be aware of the possible consequences if treatment is not started in a timely manner. For example, bacterial throat infections left untreated during pregnancy can lead to threatened miscarriage or premature birth. It is unlikely that a sane expectant mother would risk the life of her baby like that simply because there was no time and desire to see a doctor.

Drug treatment of a sore throat during pregnancy

What to do if local antiseptics are ineffective or the woman has already started an inflammatory process? First of all, you should immediately consult a doctor, and not self-medicate at home. Delay can lead to the progression of the inflammatory process, which can result in severe tonsillitis. With the development of complications of inflammation of the pharynx, with streptococcal infection, antibiotics are often necessary, you should not worry about this, since antibiotics are always prescribed, which are allowed during pregnancy and cannot harm the health of the baby in the womb.

Antiseptics in the form of sprays or lozenges for resorption can reduce sore throat and relieve inflammation of the mucous membrane. They have proven absolute safety for pregnant women and the baby in the womb. What drugs, your gynecologist will advise you.

If white plaque or purulent plugs appear on the tonsils, do not wash the plaque or squeeze out the plugs on your own, you should immediately consult a doctor.

What can I take if I have a high temperature?

Pregnancy is a burden for a woman's body, there is a restructuring of many body systems, first of all, the immune system is suppressed. Due to a decrease in immunity in the future mother, viral infections and colds are often observed. For sore throats, as mentioned above, some medicinal plants, essential oils and antiseptic solutions help well. But what should a pregnant woman do if an increase in body temperature is added to the general symptoms of a viral infection? After all, many drugs can not be taken during the period of bearing a baby, so as not to expose the fetus to unjustified risk. So, consider what to do if the disease progresses.

First of all, if the pain in the throat is accompanied by increased body temperature, put aside all your affairs and call the consultation to call a doctor at home. Now you absolutely do not need to go to the clinic on your own, wait in line for an appointment and put your child at risk.

Drugs such as analgin, ibuprofen, coldrex, antigrippin, acetylsalicylic acid are categorically contraindicated during childbearing, regardless of the duration of pregnancy! Such drugs not only adversely affect the overall development of the fetus, but can also provoke uterine bleeding in the mother and impaired placental circulation.

Paracetamol is a relatively safe drug for reducing fever during pregnancy. It is allowed at any stage of pregnancy, but not more than 2000 mg per day. Paracetamol and its analogues not only reduce body temperature, but also relieve muscle aches, headaches and malaise.

However, it is very important not to bring down the body temperature if the thermometer does not exceed 38 degrees. It is with an increase in body temperature above this mark that the body begins to actively produce interferon, a substance that fights viruses and strengthens the immune system.

A cold compress can be applied to the forehead to help reduce fever. This procedure helps to more easily endure elevated body temperature and relieves headaches a little. For such a compress, a gauze bandage is moistened in cold water, squeezed out and applied to the forehead. As the compress heats up, the gauze is moistened again. Instead of a moistened handkerchief, you can use an ice pack, but first you need to wrap it in several layers of fabric so as not to cause frostbite on the skin.

To reduce elevated body temperature, cold compresses can be applied to the main blood vessels (popliteal arteries, inguinal arteries, elbows).

If the body temperature of a pregnant woman does not exceed 37.5 degrees, it is highly recommended to drink hot linden tea. Linden has a diaphoretic effect and lowers body temperature. The main thing - do not forget about drinking plenty of water, this is 2.0-2.5 liters of fluid per day.

Remember that at the slightest symptoms of illness, it is best to see a doctor right away. After all, any viral infection, even without an increase in body temperature and severe ailments, transferred during pregnancy can end very badly for the woman herself and her baby growing in her stomach.

Make an appointment with a gynecologist

For more details, consult a qualified specialist at the Semeynaya clinic.

To clarify the prices for a gynecologist's appointment or other questions, follow the link below:

Sore throat in a pregnant woman - how to treat a sore throat during pregnancy Moscow”

From the moment a woman finds out about her pregnancy, she needs to take a more responsible approach to her health. Temporary weakening of the immune system associated with hormonal changes can lead to an increased risk of getting colds. We will analyze how to treat a cold and sore throat during pregnancy in order to avoid complications and harm to the fetus. After all, a sick woman in a position cannot take absolutely all medicines, there are a lot of contraindications.

What diseases cause sore throat

The main cause of sore throat, as a rule, lies in a bacterial or viral infection, or exacerbation of chronic diseases. If the throat is tickling, then this is not necessarily a symptom of a cold. Often perspiration occurs due to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In some pathologies, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, the contents of the stomach are thrown into the esophagus and, accordingly, into the oropharynx.

Rarely, a sore throat can be caused by a foreign body. In this case, it will be painful for the patient to swallow.

An acute inflammatory process with sore throat is indicated by the presence of elevated body temperature. In this case, there is also a pronounced swelling of the mucous membrane of the pharynx.

A sore throat that turns red in the throat may be a symptom of pharyngitis or coronavirus. The back wall of the larynx usually turns red. Their symptoms are quite similar. With pharyngitis, it is noted:

• dry throat, itching;

• pain when swallowing;

• a foreign body is felt in the throat;

• non-productive cough;

• possible runny nose and slight fever.

If the cause of the sore throat is coronavirus, the following symptoms are observed:

• increased body temperature;

• fatigue;

• headache;

• dry cough;

• muscle pain;

• diarrhea;

• conjunctivitis;

• loss of smell and taste;

• rash;

• difficult breathing;

• shortness of breath;

• feeling of constriction in the chest.

Tonsillitis or tonsillitis is an inflammation of the palatine tonsils. With angina, the pain in the throat is especially severe. Other symptoms include general weakness, decreased activity, headache, and high fever.

How to treat sore throat during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, it is very important to start the treatment of colds and sore throats in time so that the process does not have time to affect the bronchi and lungs. Indeed, in this case, antibiotics will be needed, and they are contraindicated during pregnancy. At the initial stage, the disease is easily treatable with non-chemical means and topical preparations.

In the absence of a high temperature, inhalations on herbs can be done. Suitable decoction of sage or chamomile. These herbs will help relieve inflammation and disinfect the throat. They are absolutely safe for the unborn baby and do not cause side effects.

Drinking cranberry or lingonberry juice is useful for sore throats. These berries contain a lot of vitamin C. They act like an antibiotic, relieving inflammation. Another berry with a similar effect is raspberries. You can drink tea with raspberry jam. It will eliminate pain, swelling, relieve fever.

It is also recommended to temporarily limit the consumption of very hot, cold, salty, sour and spicy foods. It unnecessarily irritates the already swollen and inflamed mucosa. It may take 2-3 days to restore the mucosa, depending on how far the inflammatory process has gone.

The throat must be kept warm at all times. It is best to immediately wrap it with a warm scarf when pain occurs. Avoid drafts and hypothermia.

Treatment of sore throat during pregnancy with folk remedies and chemicals

During pregnancy, many drugs and folk remedies are prohibited. Therefore, with a sore throat in a pregnant woman, rinses can be used:

1. Use a solution of salt or soda. Take 1 teaspoon of the substance in a cup of warm water. The procedure is carried out every hour.

2. Brew the eucalyptus herb. 1 teaspoon of raw materials is poured with boiling water, insisted for an hour and then gargled 4-5 times a day.

3. Gargling with a solution of Furacilin, Miramistin, or Chlorhexidine 3-4 times a day.

4. In the absence of a high temperature, you can lubricate the throat area (excluding the thyroid gland area) with Asterisk or Doctor Mom balm. Then the throat is wrapped with a warm scarf.

The following drugs are used during pregnancy:

• Hexoral;

• Faringsept;

• Ingalipt;

• Lysobact;

• Stopangin - allowed in the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy.

After gargling, throat spray or any other topical treatment, do not drink or eat for half an hour.

It is absolutely safe and beneficial to drink milk with honey during pregnancy. It will help relieve pain and discomfort, facilitate swallowing, and also relieve nervous tension and improve sleep. It is best to drink a drink at night, then go to bed and cover yourself with a warm blanket.

At the first symptoms of tonsillitis or pharyngitis, sore throat, it is useful to gargle with chamomile infusion. To prepare it, take a tablespoon of the flowers of this plant and pour a liter of heated water. Next, the composition is heated in a water bath for a quarter of an hour, filtered and poured into a thermos. Chamomile has a strong anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect. Similarly, you can brew and use oak bark and sage grass.

What can not be treated during pregnancy

During pregnancy, many habits of medicines that we used to treat the throat are contraindicated. You should know what restrictions exist during this period:

1. In early pregnancy, it is recommended to stop taking any chemical drugs unless absolutely necessary.

2. Pregnant women should not use medicinal tinctures containing alcohol. They, like alcohol, are prohibited during pregnancy.

3. Immunomodulators - magnolia vine, eleutherococcus and ginseng are contraindicated. To support immunity, it is better to take vitamins for pregnant women.

4. A pregnant woman should not be treated for sore throat with warming, mustard plasters, baths and saunas. Even foot baths with very hot water are contraindicated. Such procedures can cause uterine muscles to contract and increase the risk of miscarriage.

5. Do not take aspirin and indomethacin, which can cause abnormalities in the development of the fetus.

6. Antibiotics are prohibited, as well as drugs that can increase heart rate and blood pressure.

7. Do not take medicines that affect blood clotting because of the increased chance of bleeding.

8. Folk remedies are also unsafe for pregnant women. Before taking them, you must always consult with a gynecologist. After all, some herbs have abortive properties, while others are able to change the hormonal background.

If you have a sore throat during pregnancy, seek immediate medical attention. Many viruses and bacteria are able to overcome the barrier that the placenta creates around the fetus, leading to the development of abnormalities in the unborn child. Therefore, you should not try to solve the problem yourself or consult with a pharmacist. Only the attending gynecologist can prescribe the right drug that will help overcome the disease and will not harm the baby.