What to Do When You Get Flu Symptoms During Pregnancy
Pregnant women tend to always be on guard during their pregnancy as they want to keep their child and themselves out of harm’s way. This is the reason why they do their best to try and eat healthy and stay away from things such as alcohol and smoking. Of course these would harm the baby before it is even born and mothers would not want that for their child.
Among the things to look out for, influenza is one of the most dangerous things to get exposed to during pregnancy. When a woman is pregnant, certain changes happen in the body’s organ systems. The immune system, respiratory system and circulatory system are a few of those affected during the process of pregnancy. Since a woman is carrying a child in her womb, certain amounts of stress are put upon parts of the body that are normally in very good conditions before pregnancy. Instances of this are seen on the lungs and heart as a decrease in lung capacity is observed as well as an increase in heart rate. The immune system is also suppressed during pregnancy making the woman more susceptible to certain diseases, flu being one of them.
Hospitalization and pneumonia are some of the possible effects of flu to a pregnant woman that is why it is very important that during pregnancy, all instances where a woman is vulnerable to getting the flu is avoided. Having the flu while a woman is pregnant increases the risk of having a miscarriage, a low birth weight or a premature birth as shown in studies.
Obstetrics and gynecology should be taken to expects, so may sure that you visit your doctor regularly.
Symptoms of Having the Flu While You are Pregnant
You can tell if you have the flu if you experience consistent headaches and runny nose along with a sore throat. Also, if you easily get tired and feel as if you are constantly exhausted, these might be signs of fatigue which is also a symptom of flu. Constant shortness of breath and coughs can also indicate that your respiratory system is getting weaker. You might also have a loss or declining appetite as the flu proceeds. Additionally, diarrhea or vomiting might occur which can lead you to lose water that your body needs. This can lead to dehydration and faster rates of fatigue. You may also experience having a fever and sudden chills or body aches. These are some things to look out for when you have assumptions that lead you to think you might have the flu.
What Home Remedies Can You Opt For?
Aside from getting a lot of rest and consuming large amounts of fluids to flush out the heat from your body, you can also do something with a little salt and water. Prepare a cup of warm water and add in a little salt to take care of your sore throat. This can also be good if you have a cough. Saline sprays or nasal drops can also be good to loosen the mucus and serve as a smoothening agent for nasal tissue that have inflamed. Breathing air that is warm and humid can also do the job by using facial steamers or hot mist vaporizers. Sore throat can also be relieved by means of adding a little bit of honey to a cup of tea, decaffeinated of course. During sleep, you can also try elevating your head to help you sleep better. And lastly, sinus pain can be alleviated by using hot and cold packs.
What Medicine Can You Take?
According to most doctors, it is better if medication can be avoided during the first twelve weeks of being pregnant. This is because during this time, a baby’s organs are still developing. And if medication is being taken by the mother, there is a very high possibility that a baby’s organ development would be disrupted resulting in multiple difficulties after birth.
A few medications are considered to be safe after the twelfth week of pregnancy. This includes cough syrup such as dextromethorphan and Vicks. Also, menthol rubs are recommended to be applied on the temples, chest and the area under the nose. Nasal strips are also considered to be safe as well as cough drops and lozenges. These are effective in treating sore throats and coughs, but because obstetrics and gynecology is very delicate, make sure to consult with your doctor.
Matilda Shue a health blogger, but her words have the power to change your life. She is an avid reader and she loves nothing more than curling up with a good book. She always strives for perfection in everything she does, so it’s no surprise that she plans on becoming the next JK Rowling one day!
