How to treat cold during pregnancy?

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Pregnancy is something that every woman dreams of. It is a time to cherish, enjoy and look forward to. However, it can also be quite stressful for some women as there are many new developments occurring in her body throughout this period. 

There is nothing wrong with getting a cold during pregnancy. Most pregnant women experience some form of a cold during their pregnancy, so you are definitely not alone. It might be tempting to ignore feeling under the weather while pregnant, but you shouldn’t skip out on treatment if your symptoms are bothering you. But what can you do when your nose is stuffy and it’s hard to breathe?

How does it feel to have a cold?

Colds typically start with weariness, chills, sneezing, and a headache, followed by a runny nose and cough that lasts several days. Symptoms appear after 16 hours of exposure and intensify between days two and four following infection.

How to identify we have been affected by cold?

1. Cough, 
2. rhinitis, 
3. stuffy nose and sore throat are common cold symptoms; 

They are occasionally accompanied by muscular discomfort, weariness, headache, and lack of appetite. A painful throat affects around 40% of persons who have a cold, while a cough affects approximately 50%. 

In half of the cases, myalgia is present. Fever is uncommon in adults, although it is frequent in newborns and young children.

In comparison to the flu, the cough is generally light. Adults with a cough and fever are more likely to have influenza, although there are numerous parallels between the two illness states. 

Asymptomatic infection can be caused by several viruses that cause colds.

How long does a cold last?

• The duration of a cold varies widely, but it typically lasts 7-10 days.

• A cold typically lasts 7-10 days. This may vary, depending on the person. It will depend on how healthy you are and your immune system. You should keep up with your normal activities.

How to recognize a cold in pregnancy?

• A cold in pregnancy is the most common disease that happens to expectant mothers. The risk of infection increases especially in the fall and winter seasons. 

• The first symptoms usually appear several hours after contact with the virus and intensify over the next 3 days. The disease is usually mild and lasts up to a week.

What if you catch a cold while pregnant? 

• fatigue and general weakness,
• deterioration of well-being,
• increased body temperature,
• cough,
• sore throat,
• Headache,
• runny nose,
• nasal obstruction
• decreased appetite.

A cold in pregnancy is usually diagnosed by a woman on the basis of her symptoms. No tests are performed for the presence of the virus. If the symptoms are severe, it is necessary to undergo medical examinations in order to exclude other diseases of the respiratory tract (e.g. bronchitis or laryngitis and influenza).

How to cure a cold in pregnancy?

Treating the common cold in pregnancy is to relieve the symptoms. It should be remembered that most medications are not indicated at certain stages of pregnancy, so a woman should avoid using pharmaceuticals without prior medical consultation. Before any intake of medicine during the pregnancy period, it’s best to consult a doctor at the best hospital for pregnancy delivery. This also applies to those that are commonly available over the counter.

Paracetamol is considered safe during pregnancy and can be used by women in case of fever or severe headache. Seawater or saline inhalations are recommended for persistent runny noses. 

Home Remedies for Colds in Pregnancy

Home remedies for colds in pregnancy are better than medications because they are based only on natural ingredients. In the event of infection, you can:

• drink tea with honey, lemon and ginger;
• Drink syrup of onions, raspberries or elderberries 2 times a day;
• add raw garlic to food (e.g. for a sandwich);
• brew linden tea;
• drink ginger infusion;
• perform inhalations with the addition of essential oils (e.g. mint or eucalyptus);
• consume honey or propolis.

Rest and proper hydration of the body is also very important. It is worth adding to the menu fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C.

Can a cold hurt a pregnancy?

A mild cold in pregnancy poses no threat to the developing fetus. However, it should not be underestimated, so every expectant mother who notices symptoms of a viral infection should give the body time to regenerate. 

It should be remembered that a cold can turn into a more serious disease, the complications of which can be dangerous for a child. For this reason, if your symptoms do not go away after a few days, or they get worse, you should see your cold specialist doctor.

How can you find relief from cold during pregnancy?

Colds in pregnancy can be effectively prevented. 

• First of all, it is very important to wash your hands with warm water and soap after returning home. You have to remember that viruses can survive on various surfaces (e.g. door handles or pipes on a bus) for a long time. 

• It is recommended to avoid staying in large groups of people during a period of increased morbidity. It is also worth thinking about supporting the immune system with natural methods.

Points to consider

• It is important to know the signs and symptoms of a cold. If you don’t, and if you’re pregnant, your baby might be at risk. You need to be sure that you take care of yourself, so you can take care of your baby.

• Pregnant women should stay away from any substances that could be harmful to the baby. 

• A cold is a viral upper respiratory infection that can spread quite easily. 

• Pregnant women’s lungs are more sensitive to the viruses they come into contact with, so it’s important to take precautions against getting sick.

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