How Do I Manage A Cold When Im Pregnant Or Breastfeeding
A cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. This means that a cold can affect your throat and airways and cause symptoms such as:
Colds can be very uncomfortable, but they are not dangerous to you or your baby.
Colds get better on their own without any specific treatment. Antibiotics will not help you recover from a cold any faster, because colds are caused by viruses and not bacteria.
There are things you can do to treat your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable while your body fights the virus:
- Resting gives your body more energy to fight the infection.
- Drink lots of fluids this will help you feel better and is important for your milk supply when you are breastfeeding.
- Avoid dehydration which can be dangerous in pregnancy warm drinks with lemon and honey can be especially soothing.
- Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke.
- Use saline nasal sprays or rinses to clear mucus from your nose and sinuses.
- Inhale steam to help clear your nose and sinuses.
There are some medicines you need to avoid while youre pregnant or breastfeeding. If youre not sure whether a particular medicine is safe to use, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
You should continue to breastfeed your baby if you have a cold so that your baby gets antibodies from your breast milk, which may protect them from getting sick.
How To Prevent The Flu During Pregnancy
The first, and best, way to avoid catching the flu while pregnant is simple: Get an influenza vaccine. Its completely safe for expectant mothersjust be sure to request the seasonal flu shot, not the nasal spray immunization. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all pregnant women be immunized .
An added bonus? Your baby will be born with protection during those vulnerable early months. Maternal flu antibodies that are produced after getting the flu vaccine cross the placenta to provide protection to babies, explains Jessica Madden, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and the medical director of Aeroflow Breastpumps. Thus, maternal flu vaccine is the best way to protect a newborn baby from getting the flu.
Then, be sure to practice the three simple hygiene rules that have become routine thanks to COVID-19:
Remember, it takes a couple days for infected people to start showing symptoms, so be careful. If youre pregnant and someone in your household has the flu, take extra steps to protect yourself. The first several days after being infected are the worst for contagion , according to the CDC. Keep your distance from the sick person, wear a mask when you need to be in the same room, wipe down surfaces, and avoid using shared items. When in doubt, wash your hands.
How Do I Take Care Of Myself When I Have The Flu While Pregnant
The best way to take care of yourself is to:
- Follow your healthcare providers directions for any medications.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
- Avoid spreading the virus to others.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Flu in pregnancy is a serious illness. See your healthcare provider if you notice any signs of the flu. Early treatment with antiviral medications can reduce symptom severity and help you feel better sooner. Getting a flu vaccine during pregnancy is a safe and effective way to protect yourself and your baby. Talk to your provider about getting a flu shot today.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/26/2022.
References
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Aids In Flu And Cold Symptoms
Elderberry’s most important benefit, in my opinion, is its immunity support. Research has shown that elderberry extract may reduce the severity of flu symptoms. Its antiviral and antimicrobial properties make it a natural remedy for colds and the flu, but more research is needed to determine if it can prevent influenza.
Which Cold & Flu Medication Is Safe To Take During Pregnancy
You are pregnant and start feeling sick. Before you reach for that bottle of cold or flu medicine, are you certain it is safe for your baby?
When you are pregnant, your baby will be exposed to everything you are exposed to. This means that when you are sick with a cold or flu your baby will not only be exposed to the cold or flu virus, but also any medication you may take.
Typically, with most viruses, you must wait for your immune system to fight the infection. Over-the-counter medications can help soothe your symptoms while you wait.
However, not all over-the-counter medicines are safe to take during pregnancy. Certain medications may hurt the baby or cause problems for you, such as increasing your blood pressure.
Use this quick list of pregnancy-safe natural cold and flu remedies and over-the-counter medications as a starting point. Remember, read the directions on the package for any medication you might take. Its also a good idea to talk with your doctor or midwife before taking a cold or flu medication.
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Who Is More Likely To Get The Flu
Youre at higher risk of flu during pregnancy than when youre not pregnant. Thats because pregnancy naturally suppresses your immune system, which is your bodys defense against illness. This suppression increases your risk of infections, including the flu.
Pregnant people who aren’t vaccinated against the flu have a higher chance of getting it compared to vaccinated pregnant people. Studies show that flu vaccines lower the risk of flu infection in pregnant people by 50%.
Who Should Get A Flu Vaccine
The CDC recommends people six months and older get a flu vaccine. People who are at higher risk of flu complications should also be vaccinated. However, there are some exceptions to flu vaccines. It should also be administered according to age, current health status, medical history, and hypersensitivity reactions to vaccine components.
Pregnant women and those with medical conditions and egg allergies can still get a flu shot. However, it is recommended that you talk to your healthcare provider first if you have an allergic reaction to eggs and any vaccine component or if you have a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome .
People two to 49 years of age are approved to get nasal spray vaccines. Children below two years and 50-year-old adults shouldnt get these vaccines. Pregnant individuals, immunocompromised people, and those with severe allergies to any components of flu vaccine are also not eligible to get the nasal spray vaccine.
People two to 17 years old taking medications with aspirin or salicylate shouldnt also get a nasal spray vaccine. Those with cerebrospinal fluid leaks or cochlear implants can also not take these vaccines.
People with chronic medical conditions that can put them at a higher risk of getting severe flu complications, asthma, or recently taking influenza antiviral drugs should talk to a healthcare provider before getting the nasal spray flu vaccine.
People with moderate to severe illnesses usually are not allowed to be vaccinated until they recover.
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Who Should Not Take Elderberry
There haven’t been enough studies to support children taking elderberry extract. It is not recommended for children under five years of age, but it is unknown if it is safe for children over five. Those pregnant or breast-feeding should also stay clear of elderberry. Lastly, if you have an autoimmune disorder such as lupus or multiple sclerosis, elderberry may increase your symptoms.
You also shouldn’t take elderberry if you’re looking for an alternative to a COVID-19 vaccine. It will not protect against COVID-19.
Influenza Vaccine And Pregnancy
Pregnant women and their babies are at increased risk for influenza-related complications. Pregnant women are also more likely to be hospitalized with flu than women of reproductive age who are not pregnant.
CDC has received reports of flu hospitalizations and deaths in pregnant women with influenza virus infection. It is important that we stay vigilant in protecting pregnant and postpartum women from flu.
Your recommendations make a difference to your patients. The first and most important step for flu prevention is a flu vaccine. Treatment with flu antiviral drugs is our second line of defense against flu.
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If You Think You Have The Flu Call Your Health Care Provider Right Away Quick Treatment Can Help Prevent Serious Flu Complications
What is the flu?
Influenza is a virus that can cause serious illness. Its more than just a runny nose and sore throat. The flu can make you very sick, and it can be especially harmful if you get it during or right after pregnancy.
How does the flu spread?
The flu spreads easily from person to person. When someone with the flu coughs, sneezes or speaks, the virus spreads through the air. You can get infected with the flu if you breathe it in or if you touch something that has the flu virus on it and then touch your nose, eyes or mouth.
People with the flu may be able to infect others from 1 day before they get sick up to 5 to 7 days after. People who are very sick with the flu or young children may be able to spread the flu longer, especially if they still have symptoms.
How can the flu harm your pregnancy?
Health complications from the flu, like a lung infection called pneumonia, can be serious and even deadly, especially if youre pregnant. If you get the flu during pregnancy, youre more likely than other adults to have serious complications. Its best to get a flu shot before you get pregnant. Getting a flu shot can help reduce your risk of getting the flu, having serious flu complications and needing treatment in a hospital.
How does the flu shot help protect you from flu?
Is it safe to get a flu shot during pregnancy?
Pregnant women should not get the flu nasal spray. This is a spray thats put in your nose.
What are signs and symptoms of the flu?
Why Is Collagen Taken
Collagen is a substance our bodies naturally produce early in life to produce certain body parts that define certain physical characteristics. Collagen is an essential building block our bodies use to produce hair, nails, skin, and more. As we age, our collagen levels diminish, and our bodies slowly lose the ability to generate these body parts at the same rate or quality. This depletion is not necessarily a threat to our health but can impact our physical appearance and confidence. This has led many to turn to collagen supplements to replenish their base levels and repair the body parts affected by age-induced depletion. While one of the main functions of collagen is cosmetic, it does provide serious health benefits that make it worthwhile.
One of the biggest benefits of collagen, supplementary or otherwise, pertains to the health of our largest organ. Our skin is an extremely important body part that protects our internal organs, bones, and muscles from the elements. While collagen is responsible for the initial development of our dermal layer, the levels we retain in later life help it regenerate. Over time, our skin becomes less taut, and wrinkles develop. Hydration also suffers from age, and our skin becomes dry and more sensitive.
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Safe Allergy Remedies During Pregnancy
- Oral antihistamines, like cetirizine , chlorpheniramine , diphenhydramine , fexofenadine , and loratadine seem to be safe. So does cromolyn sodium nasal spray and the steroid nasal spray Rhinocort, according to Web MD.
- Allergy shots: If you took allergy shots before pregnancy, your doctor might recommend you continue taking them. But do not start them while pregnant.
- Sudafed 30-60 mg every 4-6 hours can be used in the second and third trimesters in women without gestational hypertension. Avoid use in the first trimester and with breastfeeding. Sudafed PE should be avoided because of its uncertain efficacy and safety in pregnancy.
Allergy Medications to Avoid During Pregnancy
- Decongestants: During your first trimester, dont take decongestants by mouth, according to Web MD. Decongestants may make some birth defects more likely. Watch out for antihistamines combined with a decongestant. Because theres not enough evidence for their safety, avoid antihistamine nasal sprays.
- Mucinex, Mucinex D, Mucinex DM, and the extra-strength versions of each, because the six forms of Mucinex contain guaifenesin. Avoid taking any of these during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, they may be safe to use during later trimesters. Ask your doctor.
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What Cold Medicines Are Not Safe During Pregnancy
There are a few medications that are generally not safe to take if you’re pregnant. Before starting any new medications, always check with your healthcare provider first.
Intranasal corticosteroids
Avoid triamcinolone . Studies suggest that this nasal spray is linked to birth defects. These defects were specifically in the nasal passages.
Oral decongestants
Some studies show a higher risk of birth defects with oral pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine during pregnancy. But a study of over 4,000 pregnant women taking oral decongestants, found no greater risk. Overall, the safety of phenylephrine during pregnancy is not certain. And ACOG recommends avoiding pseudoephedrine in the first trimester. Talk to your healthcare provider if you need a decongestant at any time during pregnancy.
Oxymetazoline
Intranasal decongestants deliver medication only where its needed: the nose. There isnt much research on this nasal spray in pregnancy. One study showed that there might be a link between Afrin and birth defects. Always check with your healthcare provider before using Afrin or any decongestant. Afrin shouldn’t be used for more than three consecutive days. Using the spray longer can cause a stuffy nose to get worse .
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Syrups containing ethanol
Syrups containing natural sugars
Combination products
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Will Having A Cold Affect The Baby
Having a cold during pregnancy will not usually affect the fetus. Colds are mild illnesses that a persons immune system can handle relatively easily.
Having a cold during pregnancy will not usually affect the fetus. Colds are mild illnesses that a persons immune system can handle relatively easily.However, the persons temperature and infections can affect the fetus. If a person is experiencing a fever or other signs of infection, it is essential to speak with a doctor immediately to find the best way to reduce these symptoms.
When a person is pregnant, their body deals with a cold in much the same way as it does at any other time. The symptoms are temporary, and in most cases, the cold will be gone in 710 days.
If someone experiences the following symptoms during pregnancy, they should talk to a doctor right away:
- a fever of over 100.4° F
- severe or unusual symptoms
Big Uk Trial To Find Best Drugs To Fight Flu
With flu cases rising, UK Covid scientists are turning their attention to finding the best life-saving drugs to fight the winter virus.
A trial will run across 150 hospitals this year and next, recruiting thousands of patients.
Flu vaccines help prevent infection but each year some people become very sick.
And antiviral tablets given within a couple of days of symptoms developing are designed to reduce the severity of these bad infections.
One of the pills the Imperial College London team will be testing is oseltamivir, or Tamiflu, which the government has been criticised for stockpiling and spending hundreds of millions of pounds on when there were concerns about swine flu.
It is recommended to treat severe flu but whether it saves lives is unclear.
Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the Randomised, Embedded, Multi-factorial, Adaptive Platform Trial for Community-Acquired Pneumonia will study how good the treatments are at reducing deaths and intensive care admissions.
The ineffective will be dropped and new ones added.
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How Long Does The Flu Last
The length of time youre stuck suffering from the flu varies from person to person, but an uncomplicated course of the flu usually lasts anywhere from three to seven days, Watkins says, though a cough and general feeling of being sick can last two weeks or more. Pregnant women may have symptoms for longer, he says. In some cases, pregnant women can develop pneumonia as a complication of the flu, which extends the length of the illness.
What Is A Flu Vaccine
Flu vaccines, also called flu shots, are vaccines that protect against the infection of the influenza virus. These vaccines are available as injectables or nasal sprays.
Flu vaccines are proven effective in protecting against the four types of influenza virus: two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses.
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved three production technologies for flu vaccine development. These are egg-based, cell-based, and recombinant flu vaccines.
The egg-based method uses candidate vaccine viruses to grow and replicate in fertilized hens eggs. The fluid which contains the virus is collected to purify the virus antigen. It is the most common production method for manufacturing flu vaccines.
Another process approved by the FDA is called cell-based production. While the egg-based method allows the virus to replicate in eggs, this method uses cell-grown CVVs in developing vaccines. CVVs are collected and then injected into cultured mammalian cells to enable them to reproduce.
CDC recommends that people six months and older get a flu shot yearly. Here are the different types of flu vaccines available for different age groups of people according to the CDC:
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