What can I take with a cold?

What people commonly call a cold, doctors call an acute respiratory infection.In more than 90% of cases, ARI of a viral genesis is diagnosed, which causes pathological changes in the middle ear and paranasal sinuses.Pregnant women in this regard are at risk.The statistics states that 6-7 expectant mothers out of 10 suffer from a cold during the period of gestation.

Note : there is no proven fact that ARVI in a pregnant woman is caused in consequence also by infection of the fetus and malformations of its development.In this case, it is worthwhile to beware of high temperature( above 38.5С), as it is known that it has a proven teratogenic effect on the fetus.At the same time, it is necessary to treat a cold, and after passing the necessary tests and pass the ultrasound diagnosis.

Table of contents: Features of the cold in pregnant women Treatment of common cold in pregnant women

In ARVI, mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and eyes are affected.Symptoms of a cold can cause one of more than 200 known viruses( picornaviruses, cytomegalovirus, metapneumoviruses, ecoviruses, adenoviruses, influenza viruses, etc.).Determine which virus caused cold is not difficult today, but it is not advisable, as they all have a typical clinical picture, and there is no specific antiviral treatment.To such a diagnosis should be resorted to in case of severe ARVI.

Features of cold flow in pregnant women

Symptomatic in this case will be the same as in non-pregnant.But often more pronounced stuffiness of the nose, which contributes to a high level of progesterone.The latter has an effect on the nasopharyngeal mucosa, causing its puffiness even when the woman is healthy.Usually the common cold has a light current and passes for 7 days.

Especially dangerous are those cases when a secondary infection is attached to a viral infection - bacterial infection.It can cause inflammation of the lungs, but this happens very rarely.The presence of a cough for the fetus is not affected.

Basic principles of treatment of common cold in pregnant women:

• Isolation of women from other family members.
• Restriction of physical activity.
• The room should be well ventilated.
• Bed rest is indicated depending on the state of health of the pregnant woman.
• The optimum temperature regime is 20С.
• Emotional stability.
• If there is no appetite, do not eat by force.
• Humidity within comfortable, but not below 60%.
• Healthy sleep and rest.
• Food should be limited, preferred fruits, soups, vegetables.
• Broths and herbal teas are contraindicated for pregnant women.

Treatment of common cold in pregnant women

A number of drugs that are available in over-the-counter access are used in ARVI therapy.Many of them are allowed during pregnancy, but not at all gestation periods.Let's consider in detail what kind of preparations they are, what they are needed for and what of them is really acceptable for pregnancy.

Antitussive during pregnancy

In this group of drugs, those that contain dextromethorphan are considered safe.He has an effective inhibition of the excitability of the cough center, anesthetizes.The annotation to it indicates that the 1 trimester is a contraindication, but clinically his harm to the fetus and the course of pregnancy has not been proven.

Antipyretics in pregnancy

Most often, the drug of choice for increasing body temperature is acetaminophen or all known Paracetamol.His influence on pregnancy at all times has been studied in detail.As a result, scientists came to the conclusion that it does not adversely affect the fetus if the recommended daily dose is observed( this applies to all other drugs).

This also includes NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, among which are Ibuprofen and Aspirin.The latter can not be taken for a long time, as this causes complications of pregnancy and malformations of the fetus.NSAIDs are completely contraindicated in the third trimester because of the possible negative effects on the newborn.This also applies to all pain relievers.

Decoestants

These are the drugs used to eliminate the discharge from the nose and its congestion.Decongestants have the form of intranasal, inhaled, oral preparations.Oral medications are effervescent tablets, teas, powders, capsules, which differ in their combination( antipyretic + analgesic + decongestant).For a long time it was believed that preparations based on phenylephrine, for example, "Koldact", are safe for women.Recent studies have revealed a link between his admission and developmental defects of the fetus.Inhaled decongestants are creams for the nasal mucosa, drops.They contain oxymetazoline, xylometazoline.Intranasal drops, sprays contain norephedrine and phenylephrine.It has always been thought that these remedies are safe for pregnant women, but recent studies have shown a link between their use and the development of malformations in the fetus( first trimester and period 2 months before pregnancy).Preparations with phenylephrine 8 times increase the risk of heart abnormalities in the embryo.

Antihistamines during pregnancy

Their task is to eliminate allergy phenomena.Most often prescribe diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, cetirizine.These antihistamines do not cause developmental defects.And preparations Tavegil, Suprastin, Diprazin have a number of by-effects, therefore at pregnancy them it is not recommended to apply.

Surveyants

This is a group of expectorants that are most often produced in the form of mixtures and syrups.Of these, the most safe during pregnancy is guaifenesin, which is part of Coldrex bronchus, Tussin.Bromhexine is also allowed.Mukultin also contains the root of the althea, and is contraindicated, since it has abortive action.Many expectorants contain herbs that have a negative effect on pregnancy and on the fetus, while being absolutely safe for non-pregnant women.Therefore, absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy funds based on violets, anise, psyllium, ivy, pine buds, thyme, oregano, coltsfoot, licorice.

Note: many herbs are part of the combination drugs that doctors prescribe for a cold to pregnant women, so it's important to read the composition carefully.This is justified by the fact that many of them have plant alkaloids, which have a toxic effect on the fetus and can cause spontaneous abortion.

In pregnancy, linden( flower buds) are allowed, only in small quantities and for women without pathologies of the heart, as well as peel of citrus fruits.

Interferons in pregnancy

The belief that this group of drugs in pregnancy is harmless is mistaken.But this was considered a very long time, because these funds are prescribed even for young children.Today, interferons are successfully used in the therapy of pathologies such as leukemia, melanoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, because they have a pronounced antitumor effect and are used in chemotherapy.Clinical studies have shown that interferons in the treatment of cold infections are ineffective and have a negative effect on the thyroid gland, which during pregnancy and so is experiencing stress.They also provoke a delay in fetal growth, premature birth.

Other methods for treating colds

Hot baths for legs are contraindicated in pregnancy, as they can cause premature birth.Warm baths are allowed, with the addition of essential oils.

It is allowed to use inhalations with such drugs as Rotokan, garlic juice( diluted with water), Novoimanin, calendula.

It is important to drink a fairly warm liquid in the form of teas, morses, milk and honey.

In any case, the cold during pregnancy should be taken seriously, do not engage in self-treatment, but visit a doctor.It is important to carry out the treatment prescribed by the doctor to eliminate the pathogenic effect of ARVI on the course of pregnancy.In this case, do not be afraid of the negative effect of medications on the fetus, because an untreated cold with a high temperature has a negative impact, both on the future child and on the mother.You should learn to carefully read the composition of the prescribed drugs.

Betsik Julia, obstetrician-gynecologist