Pregnant with a cold and sore throat

Treating a Cold or Flu When Pregnant

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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.

medicine that's safe for pregnant women?

Sep 24th, 2020 Mid-Atlantic Women’s Care Obstetrics

When you are pregnant, your immune system doesn’t operate at maximum capacity, which is actually a good thing because it keeps your growing baby protected, and stops your body from thinking the fetus is an intruder. However, this comes with the downside that your body can’t ward off the viruses that cause the common cold quite as effectively. This can leave you vulnerable to the symptoms that come along, including a congested nose, cough, and sore throat.

As we move into cold and flu season, you may find yourself coming down with a cold, and while you can rest assured that your baby isn’t experiencing any of them, you want to get rid of the symptoms quickly and safely. While colds are mostly an uncomfortable annoyance best managed by a little extra rest, fluids, and patience, you may find yourself seeking out cold medications to alleviate your symptoms. We recommend making a call to your OBGYN so they can steer you in the right direction in terms of cold medications that are considered safe during pregnancy. Here are our own recommendations on what to do if you get sick while pregnant.

Common cold symptoms during pregnancy

Generally, a cold will start with a sore or scratchy throat lasting about a day or two, followed by the gradual onset of other symptoms which may include:

Sneezing
Mild fatigue
A runny, then later stuffy nose
A dry cough, particularly as the cold is ending which may continue for a week or more after the other symptoms have mostly subsided
A low-grade fever typically under 100 degrees Fahrenheit

Cold symptoms usually last between 10 to 14 days. However, if your symptoms persist longer than that time frame or seem to progressively worsen, you should talk to your primary care physician so they can ensure it hasn’t turned into something more serious like an infection or the flu.

Is it a cold or the flu?

The best way to tell the difference between a cold and the flu is to take account of the typical symptoms.

A cold is milder than the flu. Its symptoms come on gradually and typically you only run a low-grade to no fever. It generally starts off with a sore throat that goes away after a day or two, a cold ends with the main symptoms of a runny nose and cough.
Influenza, commonly called the flu, is more severe and the onset is more sudden than a cold. Symptoms include a high fever (typically 101-104 degrees F or higher), headache, chills, a sore throat that typically worsens by the second or third day, intense muscle soreness, and a general feeling of weakness and fatigue. These symptoms, along with sneezing and a cough, can last a couple of weeks or longer.

What to do if you get a cold while pregnant

Before turning to medicine, there are some effective cold remedies that don’t come from a pharmacy shelf. Here are ways to alleviate symptoms and feel better fast:

Keep eating: It’s common to not have much of an appetite when you have a cold but it is important to eat a healthy diet while you are sick and pregnant.
Rest: While this won’t necessarily shorten the duration of your cold, your body needs rest. Sleeping can prove to be a bit difficult when sick with a cold. Breathe easier by elevating your head with a few pillows. Nasal strips can also help as they gently pull your nasal passages open. They are easy to find, sold over the counter and are drug-free.
Stay active: If you can, do some light to moderate, pregnancy-safe exercises. It will help your body to fight off the cold faster.
Drink lots of fluids: Symptoms of colds like sneezing, runny nose, and fever causes your body to lose fluids that are essential to you and your baby. Warm beverages like tea with honey (which helps to suppress a dry cough) or hot soup with broth are soothing for your symptoms and cold water and juices work fine as well.
Eat foods with vitamin C: Foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, spinach, melon, kiwi, and red cabbage are packed with vitamin C which will help to boost your immune system.
Get more zinc: Pregnant women should try to get 11-15 milligrams of zinc each day, including the zinc in prenatal vitamins. Foods like turkey, beef, eggs, yogurt, wheat germ, oatmeal, and pork will also help to boost your immune system.
Use a humidifier: Dry conditions in your home can aggravate your symptoms so using a cold or warm air humidifier at night can really help.
Use saline nose drops, rinses, and sprays. All of these can help to moisten nasal passages, and they’re unmedicated, so they are safe for use while pregnant. We do recommend avoiding neti pots, however, as they can spread germs.
Gargle with warm salt water: Gargling with warm salt water can help to ease a scratchy throat and help control a cough.

Medications that are safe for pregnant women to take for a cold

Before reaching for the medications in your medicine cabinet, reach for the phone and call your OBGYN to discuss the recommended remedies you can take for a cold while pregnant. Here are cold medications that are generally safe during pregnancy.

Acetaminophen

Taking acetaminophen like Tylenol can help in the short-term to reduce head and body aches and break a fever.

Cough medicine

Expectorants like Mucinex, cough suppressants like Robitussin, vapor rubs like Vicks VapoRub, and cough drops are all considered safe during pregnancy. But again, make sure to consult your OBGYN about safe dosages.

Nasal sprays

Plain saline drops and sprays are safe and can help to moisturize and clear a stuffy nose. Most steroid-containing nasal sprays are also safe but you should check with your doctor about brands and dosing.

Antihistamines

Benadryl and Claritin are generally safe during pregnancy but, as usual, check with your doctor as some will advise against them during the first trimester.

Medications to avoid during pregnancy

Always check with your doctor or OBGYN before taking any medications – prescription, over-the-counter, or homeopathic – particularly the following.

Pain relievers and fever reducers like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can cause pregnancy complications, particularly if taken during the third trimester.
Decongestants like Sudafed and DayQuil are generally cautioned against after the first trimester and only in a limited amount.
Avoid non-steroidal nasal sprays containing oxymetazoline.
Don’t take supplemental vitamins or herbal remedies without medical approval.

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

Colds during pregnancy: how to treat?

Any cold or respiratory disease in early pregnancy, during the primary formation of the fetus, can lead to unpredictable consequences and complications. The matter is complicated by the fact that most medications are absolutely contraindicated for use during gestation.

In this regard, the treatment and prevention of colds in pregnant women is an important issue, which should be approached especially responsibly! The main thesis is: be careful with medicines and apply mild preventive measures based on alternative medicine methods to avoid respiratory diseases and flu.

"One for two - immunity"

This is a very fragile system, it is not necessary to interfere in its work, but it is necessary to support and strengthen it. Pregnancy belongs to the category of special, albeit temporary, conditions during which a woman needs additional protection.

This issue will help simple recommendations that are available to everyone:

• During the period of frequent weather changes, it is necessary to dress warmer, paying special attention to shoes.
• During an epidemic, it is better for a pregnant woman to refrain from being in crowded places - transport, metro, shops and hospitals. If there is an urgent need, to prevent possible infection, a protective respiratory mask should be worn before leaving the house.

• Be especially careful about hygiene after visiting the street and public places. Upon returning home, the first thing to do is wash your hands thoroughly.

Interesting: More than 90% of all acute respiratory infections are caused by viruses, about 10% are bacteria and other pathogens. Accordingly, any soap can be used, not necessarily antibacterial.

• Before going outside, you can lubricate the nasal mucosa with oxolinic ointment. Upon returning home, flush the upper respiratory tract with soda solution.

• Rationalization of nutrition and intake of vitamins will strengthen the immune defense. It is especially useful to eat fruits and vegetables that are enriched with vitamins and have not undergone heat treatment.

Interesting: our grandmothers also said: in order not to get sick, you need to drink chicken broth! Strange, but until recently, scientists did not attach much importance to this prophylactic. Pulmonologist Stefan Rennard decided to find out if this was true or not. The professor conducted a study and proved that the use of chicken broth affects the mobility of neutrophils, white blood cells that protect the body from infections and activate the immune system.

Vitamins can be taken using ready-made pharmaceutical multivitamin complexes. Before choosing a drug, you should consult your doctor.
Compliance with the regimen and duration of sleep - at least 9 hours a day. The possibility of psychotraumatic situations should be minimized.
Maintaining cleanliness in the living quarters (ventilation, wet cleaning).
Humidification is an important aspect in the prevention of influenza and respiratory diseases. If air conditioners or heaters are used in the house of a pregnant woman, it would be best to purchase a mechanical humidifier.

Medications for prevention

Grippferon - a drug in the form of drops for the nose, which provides the prevention and treatment of influenza, is not contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women. The medicine stimulates an increase in immunity, has a pronounced antiviral effect that can protect against colds, infections and influenza varieties.
Ascorbic acid - can be used as a separate source of vitamin C in a synthetic version, with a reduced daily intake from food. Ascorbic acid not only prevents infection, but also fights viruses that have already entered the body of a woman.
Viferon - nasal ointment, which is prescribed for the prevention of influenza and respiratory infections during an epidemic. The ointment has protective and immunomodulatory effects, and also allows you to deal with disorders that are already occurring in the body at the time of use. Viferon in the form of a nasal ointment has no contraindications for use in pregnant women at any time, including the first trimester.
Aquamaris is a natural drug in the form of a nasal spray that allows you to moisturize the nasal mucosa, thereby reducing the risk of influenza viruses entering the nasal cavity.

I would like to say a few words about such a method of prevention as vaccination. Most often, the expectant mother may be at risk of becoming infected due to the annual influenza epidemic. This disease is dangerous for a pregnant woman precisely because of its complications: pneumonia, bronchitis, otitis media. Influenza in a pregnant woman can also affect the health of the fetus. Most of all, it is dangerous in the early stages of pregnancy, when the tissues and organs of the human embryo are laid and formed. Viral intoxication or drug exposure can lead to pathology of the child's organs. In later pregnancy, there is a risk of infection of the fetus.

The most dangerous consequence of influenza in a pregnant woman is threatened miscarriage or premature birth!

It is quite natural that expectant mothers often wonder whether or not to vaccinate.

Studies have concluded that the use of inactivated ("killed") influenza vaccines does not have a teratogenic effect on the fetus and does not harm the health of a pregnant woman. After consulting with your doctor about such an inoculation, you can come to an optimal solution. If an influenza epidemic is inevitable, and a pregnant woman has no contraindications, then vaccination should be done. If a pregnant woman has a negligible risk of infection, she does not come into contact with a large number of people, or is opposed to vaccination, then you can not do it. According to research, it is known that vaccination of mothers reduces the risk of influenza infection of a born child by 63%. Seasonal influenza prevention is carried out in September, October. Vaccinations for pregnant women are recommended from the second trimester of pregnancy.

In the period of a planned pregnancy, a flu shot is given 1 month before it: the formation of immunity occurs 2-4 weeks. Protection after vaccination lasts about a year.

If infection does occur, action should be taken immediately if at least one symptom of the disease is detected. The health of a pregnant woman and her unborn child depends entirely on her responsibility and respect for her own body.

Proven folk remedies will be used first. Since pregnant women cannot steam their legs, steam their hands, and this will facilitate nasal breathing. Bundle up, put on woolen socks and crawl under the covers: warmth, peace and sleep are good for colds. Do not forget to drink plenty of water - hot green tea with lemon and honey, lime blossom tea, cranberry juice, rosehip broth, dried fruit compote. Ginger in the form of tea also helps, not only with catarrhal symptoms, but with nausea in the morning.

Various hot milk drinks are also suitable. Honey can be added to milk, and it is best to boil it on onions. It must be emphasized right away that not all herbs for colds during pregnancy can be used. Here is a list of medicinal plants that are contraindicated: aloe, anise, barberry, elecampane (grass and root), sweet clover, oregano, St. John's wort, strawberries (leaves), viburnum (berries), raspberries (leaves), lemon balm, lovage, wormwood, licorice ( root), celandine, sage. Accordingly, preparations containing these plants should not be taken.

The use of medicines for colds during pregnancy must be treated with great care!

It is contraindicated to use the following drugs : Pertussin, Tussin plus, Joset, Glycodin, Ascoril, Travisil, Broncholitin, ACC, Grippeks, Codelac, Terpinkod. Do not use lozenges and lozenges for sore throat or cough are also undesirable due to the likelihood of allergic reactions.

Spray Pinosol, judging by the components indicated in the instructions, is not dangerous during pregnancy. However, the essential oils contained in the preparation - pine, peppermint, eucalyptus, thymol, guaiazulene (wormwood oil) - can lead to an allergic reaction with swelling of the nasal mucosa.

Viferon suppositories are allowed to be used only after 14 weeks from the start of conception. This drug contains recombinant human interferon alpha-2, ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol acetate and has antiviral, immunomodulatory and antiproliferative effects. It is used in the treatment of various infectious and inflammatory diseases in adults and children (including newborns). In the form of an ointment, Viferon is used to treat herpetic lesions of the skin and mucous membranes. The ointment is applied in a thin layer to the affected areas of the skin 3-4 times a day for 5-7 days.