Cough Colds and Flu During Pregnancy: Treatments, Risks, and Prevention
During pregnancy, it is harder for a woman’s immune system to fight infections. This makes them more likely to get the cold, flu and other diseases. Pregnant women are more likely than others to become very ill if they get the flu.
What is Difference between Flu and Cold?
Flu is not a “bad cold”. Each year, thousands of individuals die of complications resulting from the flu. Flu and cold share some of the same symptoms, but are caused by different viruses. Flu can be much more serious than a cold.
Symptoms of cold and flu are also similar but in case of flu symptoms tends to be more severe. Colds cause more nasal problems than flu. Fever, fatigue, and muscle aches are typically more common and intense with the flu.
Symptoms of colds and flu can include:
- blocked or runny nose.
- sore throat.
- cough.
- sneezing.
- headaches.
- a high temperature or fever.
- pressure in your ears and face
- loss of taste and smell
- muscle aches and pains
- feeling exhausted and desire to lie down
A cold develops gradually over period of one or two days and you are most contagious during the early stages when you have sore throat and a runny nose. You should begin to feel better after a few days but some colds can prolong and last up to two weeks.
The flu typically develops much faster than a cold, with symptoms emerging one to three days after exposure. You should begin to feel better within a week or so, but you may feel tired and exhausted for much longer.
How to Prevent Cough or Cold in Pregnancy ?
To prevent a cold or cough, the most critical step to take is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you are eating nutritiously (see Healthy eating in pregnancy), getting the necessary amount of sleep, and exercising on a regular basis (see Exercise during pregnancy) . Additionally, taking your prenatal vitamins is essential. (see Vitamin Supplements in Pregnancy)
Wash your hands regularly. If you are around someone who is having a cold, avoid touching their hands or eating after them. Make a special effort to wash your hands more often when you are around individuals with a cold or cough.
How to Treat a Cold or Cough in Pregnancy ?
If you have a cough or cold, you can usually manage your symptoms effectively at home.
- Rest: Ensure you get plenty of sleep, take naps, and allow yourself time to relax.
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of fluids such as water, juice, or broth to keep yourself hydrated.
- Eat Well: Even if large meals are unappealing, try to eat small portions frequently to maintain your strength and comfort.
Natural remedies can help alleviate bothersome symptoms:
- Reduce Congestion: Use a humidifier in your room, keep your head elevated on your pillow while resting, or try nasal strips to help with nasal congestion.
- Alleviate your sore throat: Drink warm tea, or gargle with warm salt water.
When to Consult Doctor ?
Whether it’s a cold or flu, contact your doctor if you have:-
- Chronic Conditions: If you have a chronic condition like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.
- High Fever: If you experience a very high fever.
- Severe Pain: If you have an unusually severe headache, or pain in your abdomen or chest.
Cough and Cold Medication During Pregnancy
Ideally, you should avoid taking medications during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Common ailments like colds or minor aches and pains often do not require medicinal treatment. However, if you’re pregnant and feel you need to take medicine, paracetamol is usually safe to take. Before taking any medicine when you’re pregnant, you should get advice from your gynecologist.
Paracetamol during pregnancy
When you’re pregnant, Paracetamol is the recommended option for managing:
- Mild to moderate pain
- High fever
Paracetamol has been widely used throughout all stages of pregnancy for temperature control and pain relief, with no clear evidence of harm to the unborn baby. Nevertheless, as with any medication during pregnancy, it’s important to use paracetamol at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary. If the recommended dose of paracetamol doesn’t control your symptoms or you’re still in pain, consult your doctor.
Ibuprofen during pregnancy
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID). If you are pregnant, or planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor before taking ibuprofen or any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
It is not known for sure whether or not taking NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin in the early stages of pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage. NSAIDs should not be taken in the last three months of your pregnancy when use can lead to bleeding before and after childbirth, delayed labour and birth, and heart or kidney problems for your unborn baby.
Paracetamol, which is not a NSAID, is the preferred medicine for pain relief and temperature control during pregnancy.
Flu Vaccine in Pregnancy
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, getting the flu vaccine is recommended. Pregnant women who receive the flu vaccine are less likely to get sick and are much less likely to experience severe flu that could harm themselves or their baby.
Getting a mild case of the flu is often not harmful to mother or child. However, the flu vaccine can prevent the rare, severe cases of the flu that can harm mother and baby.
Flu vaccines are available at most clinics. There are two types of flu vaccines: the flu shot and the nasal spray vaccine. The flu shot, which contains inactivated viruses, is recommended for pregnant women and cannot cause the flu. The nasal spray vaccine, which is not approved for use during pregnancy, should be avoided by pregnant women. It is safe for pregnant women to be around individuals who have received the nasal spray vaccine.
Will Flu Vaccine Harm my Baby ?
Some flu vaccines contain a small amount of mercury in the form of thimerosal, a common preservative used in multidose vials. Despite some concerns, there is no evidence linking thimerosal to autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. If you are worried about mercury, you can ask your doctor about a preservative-free vaccine option. The CDC states that both thimerosal-containing and thimerosal-free flu vaccines are safe for pregnant women.
Are There Any Side Effects of the Flu Vaccine?
The flu vaccine may cause mild side effects, which can include:
- Redness or tenderness at the injection site
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
These side effects typically start shortly after the vaccination and may last for 1 to 2 days. If side effects persist beyond 2 days or seem severe, consult your doctor.
