Cold And Flu During Pregnancy
5-minute read
Colds and flu symptoms can be very similar to the symptoms of COVID-19. Even if your symptoms are mild, get tested for COVID-19 immediately use the colds and flu Symptom Checker if you’re not sure what to do. You can also learn more here about COVID-19 during pregnancy.
Getting the cold or flu when you are pregnant can affect your unborn baby. If you are considering pregnancy or are already pregnant, it is highly recommended that you have the flu vaccination to help protect you and your baby.
When Are You Contagious
If you are infected with the flu, you are most likely to pass it to someone else from 1 day before symptoms start and up to 7 days after symptoms develop. Children may be infectious for longer than 7 days after symptoms start.
Symptoms usually develop 1 to 4 days after you are infected. Because symptoms may not develop for a couple of days, you may pass the flu to someone before you know you have it.
How Is The Flu Diagnosed
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine you. This usually gives the doctor enough information to find out if you have the flu, especially if many cases of a similar illness have occurred in the area and the local health department reports a flu outbreak.
In some cases, the doctor may do a blood test or take a sample of fluid from your nose or throat to find out what type of flu virus you have.
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Fighting The Flu At Home
The note that some of the most important ways of fighting the flu at home include:
- getting lots of rest
- drinking plenty of fluids, including juices and water
- taking acetaminophen or other over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce fever
- avoiding smoking or being around people who are smoking
- avoiding drinking alcohol while sick
Some additional ways to reduce flu symptoms include:
- taking a warm bath with Epsom salt or baking soda to relieve aches
- using a humidifier to add moisture to the air
- applying a vapor rub to the chest, for adults
- using a saltwater gargle
- trying supplements, such as vitamin C, probiotics, or echinacea
According to a 2014 review , honey could also help with symptoms. Researchers found three studies providing evidence that taking honey right before bed can ease symptoms, such as a cough, in children.
Another study from 2014 found that taking zinc can help with flu symptoms by preventing the virus from rapidly spreading, reducing the duration of illness. However, there is not enough evidence to support routine or high dosages of zinc to prevent the flu.
Most people do not need to see a doctor for symptoms of the flu.
However, anyone at risk of serious health complications should talk to their doctor if they develop symptoms. They may also wish to do this if there is a local flu outbreak in the area.
- pregnancy
- kidney, liver, or metabolic disorders
- HIV
- weakened immune system
- blood disorders
No One Wants To Be Hit By The Flu So Stopping It In Its Tracks Is Crucial
With one of the worst flu seasons in decades in full swing, this is the best time to make sure you have the necessary tools to bounce back in case you or your loved ones are affected.
So what are the best ways to give your immune system a much-needed boost? Here are eight tips for dealing with the flu without resorting to unnecessary antibiotics or gut-killing pain relievers like Ibuprofen.
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Is The Flu Caused By Bacteria
No, the flu is caused by viruses, not bacteria.
Thinking that the flu is caused by bacteria is a common myth, and some people even call any symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea the stomach flu. These symptoms are sometimes related to the flu, but they are not the main symptoms. Bacteria is a common cause of stomach symptoms.
The flu is a respiratory disease, meaning that it stays in your airways. The flu virus does not move to parts of your body other than the nose, mouth, throat, and lungs.
Some respiratory diseases, including pneumonia, strep throat, and whooping cough are caused by bacteria. Since the flu is not caused by bacteria, it is not treated with antibiotics like other infections. The primary flu medicine that might be prescribed by your healthcare provider is an antiviral a type of medication that fights viruses.
Keep Nasal Passageways Moist With Steamy Showers
Taking a long steamy shower can help moisturize your throat and nasal passages, while also helping to clear them of mucus, Schachter says. If the flu is making you feel light-headed or weak, simply turn on the hot water, sit in the bathroom and inhale the steam for up to 10 minutes.
Still not feeling better? It may be time to move beyond natural flu remedies and seek medical help. Its important to contact your healthcare provider, as the flu can have serious consequences, ranging from ear infections to pneumonia to worsening of chronic conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, and diabetes, according to the CDC. You should be feeling better within five to seven days, but if you are not and still have a fever or have started to feel badly again, be sure to call your doctor, Schachter says.
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Don’t Fly Unless Necessary
There’s no point adding stress to your already stressed-out upper respiratory system, and that’s what the change in air pressure will do. Flying with cold or flu congestion can temporarily damage your eardrums as a result of pressure changes during takeoff and landing. If you must fly, use a decongestant and carry a nasal spray with you to use just before takeoff and landing. Chewing gum and swallowing frequently can also help relieve pressure.
How Can I Get Rid Of A Virus Fast
Any seasonal change invites viral infections. Children, old people, and those with diabetes are particularly vulnerable to various kinds of viral illnesses. Viral infection may last for only 1-2 weeks. However, the symptoms may interrupt your daily routine making you want to get rid of the virus immediately. Antibiotics do not work on viruses, hence prevention is the best cure for these.
Below are some natural remedies that may help to partially disable the virus, if not completely.
Do not completely rely on the above natural treatments for eliminating the virus. You should inform the physician before attempting any natural remedies.
Some of the other methods that may aid in eliminating the viruses include:
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Treatment: What You Need To Know
- Can flu be treated?Yes. There are prescription medications called antiviral drugs that can be used to treat flu illness.
- What are flu antiviral drugs? Flu antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that fight against flu in your respiratory tract. Antiviral drugs are not sold over the counter. You can only get them if you have a prescription from your doctor or health care provider. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics, which fight against bacterial infections.
Dont Drink A Hot Toddy
While alcohol makes people feel drowsy, it doesnt lead to good sleep and can contribute to dehydration.
Resting up and staying hydrated are both needed to help people recover from the flu. What more, booze can make people feel worse.
Flu can often make people feel very sick and that can include making people feel very delirious and something that can affect your thinking is not recommended, said Safdar.
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What Are Other Ways To Treat And Prevent The Flu
Antiviral prescription medicines and an annual flu vaccine are available for treating and preventing the flu.
Prescription anti-flu medicines include amantadine , rimantadine , zanamivir and oseltamivir . These drugs do not cure the flu, but they can make the symptoms milder and make you feel better more quickly. They are only effective when used in the first 48 hours of flu-like symptoms.
These drugs are not needed for healthy people who get the flu. They are usually reserved for people who are very sick with the flu or those who are at risk of complications from the flu, such as people with long-term chronic medical conditions or older age.
Flu vaccine . Although there is currently no vaccine against the common cold, there is a vaccine to prevent the flu. The vaccine is available by both shot and nasal spray. It works by exposing the immune system to the viruses. The body responds by building antibodies against the flu. The flu shot contains dead flu viruses. The nasal spray contains live, but weakened, flu viruses. The nasal spray is only approved for healthy children and adults two to 49 years old and who are not pregnant.
Help For Flu Patients
If you want a flu vaccine, your provider at Prima Medicine can provide you with a flu vaccine to help keep you healthy. If you currently have symptoms of the flu, schedule an appointment.
Our team can get you the treatment you need to alleviate your symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness. We offer same-day appointments at our urgent care clinics in Fairfax and South Riding.
To learn more about the flu and how you can treat it, book an appointment online or over the phone with Prima Medicine today.
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Clear Congestion Quickly With A Neti Pot
If youre stuffed up and feeling miserable, using a neti pot a small teapot-like vessel with a long spout to flush mucus from your nasal passages twice a day can help, Horovitz says. This is done by placing a saline solution made with distilled, sterilized, or previously boiled water in the neti pot and following the instructions that came with neti pot.
Who Should Get An Annual Flu Shot
The Centers for Disease Control recommends the following groups receive an annual flu vaccine shot between November and February :
- All people aged six months and older.
It is especially important for certain individuals at high risk of flu complications and those who come in contact with people at high risk of complications to receive the flu vaccine. These people at high risk include:
- Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
- People who have chronic medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, kidney and liver disorders and chronic lung diseases.
- People with a weakened immune system, for example, people with cancer, HIV/AIDS, or chronic steroid users.
- Household members and caregivers of patients at risk of complications from the flu.
- Women who are or will be pregnant during the flu season .
- Healthcare workers who come into close contact with patients in hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare facilities.
- Infants and children ages six months through 18 years who are taking long-term aspirin therapy. This puts these individuals at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after flu infection.
- American Indians/Alaska natives.
- People who have close contact with children under five years of age for example, people who live with children, nannies and providers of daycare services.
- People who are morbidly obese .
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Get Better Faster With Zinc
Zinc lozenges can help you feel better faster if you start taking them as soon as you feel fluish, says Neil Schachter, MD, medical director of the Mount SinaiNational Jewish Health Respiratory Institute in New York City and the author of The Good Doctor’s Guide to Colds & Flu. I recommend using one or two lozenges per day,” he says. Zinc may help boost immunity, which can shorten the duration or severity of the flu, he explains. However, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health advises checking with your doctor or pharmacist first as zinc may interact with antibiotics and penicillamine, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Consider Natural Flu Remedies
Theres evidence that if you take elderberry early on with the flu, it can shorten the course of the symptoms, Dr. Cram says. Available at health food stores in syrups, gummies, lozenges, pills, and teas, and rich in antioxidants, elderberry-based supplements can help boost the immune system and pose very little risk of adverse side effects. However, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, elderberry is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Doctors disagree on the effectiveness of other natural remedies such as probiotics, echinacea, zinc, and vitamin C. Foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin E can support the immune system and may help prevent the flu or the common cold, but there is little evidence that they do much to reduce flu symptoms or speed recovery. Probiotics, a type of good bacteria, can be beneficial to overall health, but little is known about their long-term safety. Zinc taken orally may help treat cold symptoms, but it can cause nausea and other gastrointestinal problems. Vitamin C and echinacea, on the other hand, are generally considered safe, but you should still check with your doctor before using them.
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Why Is This Medication Prescribed
Peramivir injection is used to treat certain types of influenza infection in adults and children 2 years of age and older who have had symptoms of the flu for no longer than 2 days. Peramivir injection is in a class of medications called neuraminidase inhibitors. It works by stopping the spread of the flu virus in the body. Peramivir injection helps shorten the time that flu symptoms such as a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, cough, muscle or joint aches, tiredness, headache, fever, and chills last. Peramivir injection will not prevent bacterial infections, which may occur as a complication of the flu.
Add Moisture To The Air
Dry air can make your symptoms worse. A vaporizer or humidifier adds moisture to the air and can help loosen up congestion.
There are many types of humidifiers and vaporizers available on the market. Examples include cool-mist humidifiers and steam vaporizers. These can be found easily for a reasonable price at your local big-box store, pharmacy, or online.
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How Can I Get Rid Of The Flu In 24 Hours
If youve come down with the 24-hour flu, you can do the following things at home to help ease your symptoms:
. In this manner, can you get over the flu in one day?
Flu symptoms usually start within one to four days after infection. A bout of the flu typically lasts one to two weeks, with severe symptoms subsiding in two to three days. However, weakness, fatigue, dry cough, and a reduced ability to exercise can linger for three to seven days.
Secondly, how can I get rid of the flu fast without medicine? Continued
Also know, how can I get rid of the flu quickly?
Give these a try today.
How can I get rid of a cold in 24 hours without medication?
No : Don’t Fly Unless Necessary
There’s no point adding stress to your already stressed-out upper respiratory system, and that’s what the change in air pressure will do. Flying with cold or flu congestion can hurt your eardrums as a result of pressure changes during takeoff and landing. If you must fly, ask your doctor about using a and carry a nasal spray with you to use just before takeoff and landing. Chewing gum and swallowing frequently can also help relieve pressure.
Remember, serious conditions can masquerade as the common cold and a mild infection can evolve into something more serious. If you have severe symptoms or are feeling sicker with each passing day or must travel, see a doctor.
Show Sources
SOURCES: Centers for Disease Control: ”Symptom Relief.” American Academy of Family Physicians: ”Colds and the Flu.” Charles B. Inlander, author, 77 Ways to Beat Cold and Flu.
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