treatment for cold when pregnant

What to do if you catch a cold when pregnant?

What to do if you catch a cold when pregnant

• Treatment. Treating a cold usually means using over-the-counter (OTC) medications. ...
• Prevention. People are also more likely to catch colds and the flu during pregnancy, so it is important to take steps to prevent illness.
• Pregnancy rhinitis. ...
• Risks and considerations. ...
• When to see a doctor. ...
• Summary. ...

What can you take for a cold while pregnant?

What medicine can I take with a cold while pregnant?

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
• Loratadine (Claritin)
• Zinc lozenges.
• Chloraseptic spray (but a salt water gargle is just as effective, with no risks)

How to kick a cold while pregnant?

How to handle a cold when you’re pregnant

• Pain relievers. Sometimes colds are accompanied by painful aches and fevers. ...
• Expectorants. These medications help loosen and get rid of the phlegm that comes with a cold, says Anne Marie Picone Ford, a pharmacist in Moncton, N.B. ...
• Cough suppressants. ...
• Decongestants. ...
• Humidifiers. ...
• Hot tea. ...
• Echinacea. ...
• Vitamin C. ...

What can you take for a cold and cough when pregnant?

Home remedies for cold and flu during pregnancy Get plenty of rest. Drink a lot of fluids. Gargle with warm salt water, if you have a sore throat or cough.

How to prevent colds during pregnancy?

How to prevent a cold during pregnancy. Besides avoiding anyone who is visibly sick, wash your hands with soap and water a little more often — and scrupulously — than you did before. Don’t just wash and shake; use a towel to make sure your hands are completely dry when you’re done.

How to get rid of cold symptoms?

Sure, you probably don’t have much of an appetite, but eating as healthy a diet as possible when you do feel up to it can help with some of your cold symptoms. Focus on foods with vitamin C. They can help boost your immune system naturally.

How to help a baby's throat?

Moisturize your air. If dry conditions in your home aggravate your sensitive nasal passages and throat, misting the room with a cold or warm air humidifier at night can help. Adults can use either kind, but for safety’s sake, don’t ever use a warm-air version in a baby’s or toddler's room. Use saline nose drops, sprays or rinses.

How to boost immune system during pregnancy?

Chow down on more zinc. It may also help boost the immune system; pregnant women should aim to get 11-15 milligrams each day from all sources, including your prenatal vitamin. Fill up on turkey, beef, pork, cooked oysters, eggs, yogurt, wheat germ and oatmeal. Drink up.

Why is it important to see a doctor when you are pregnant?

When to see a doctor. When you’re expecting, your immune system runs at a lower speed than usual — which is actually a good thing, since it keeps your growing baby protected and stops your body from thinking that the fetus is a foreign entity. The downside of this immune suppression, though, is that your body doesn't ward off many ...

How to get better faster from cold?

Some of the most effective cold remedies don’t come from the pharmacy shelf. Here's how to feel better faster: Rest. Taking a cold to bed doesn’t necessarily shorten its duration, but if your body is begging for some rest, be sure to listen.

How long does a cold last?

Cold symptoms generally last 10 to 14 days . And yes, sorry to say, you can get a brand new cold just as the last one is ending, so if it feels like you always have the sniffles, you may be right. However, if your symptoms persist past 10 to 14 days, or seem to be getting progressively worse, let your practitioner know.

How to prevent a cold?

While you can't prevent every cold or sniffle, remember that the best offense is a good defense. Wash your hands, avoid people who are ill, and take care of yourself by eating well and getting enough rest. Avoid people who are sick, even if they are in your family. Do not drink or eat after others.

Is tea good for a sore throat?

If your throat hurts, tea can be very comforting to your sore throat. It has tannins that can help soothe your throat. You can also add honey for added comfort. Watch out for specialty teas, though, which have herbs that may or may not be safe in pregnancy.

Can you take over the counter medications while pregnant?

Medications. Be sure to check any over-the-counter medications or herbal remedies with your doctor or midwife before taking them. While some may be safe for pregnancy, many others are not—and your particular medical history may make some medications off-limits for you, while others are recommended.

Is it safe to take acetaminophen while pregnant?

Your practitioner is the best judge of whether or not a product is safe for you to take while pregnant. For instance, it's usually safe to take acetaminophen occasionally for pain, but not necessarily nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Can you get a cold while pregnant?

Getting a cold or even the flu when you're pregnant isn't an impossibility. In fact, it could be your reality. Being pregnant can actually impair the function of your immune system, making it more likely that you'll get sick. But don't panic.

How many colds do you get during pregnancy?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that adults have an average of 2–3 colds. Trusted Source. per year. The chances of catching a cold while pregnant are higher because the immune system is less robust during pregnancy.

How to recover from a cold?

Natural remedies. Resting while sick is important to give the body time to focus on recovery. Lying down with the head elevated may help with breathing and stuffiness . Drinking plenty of water can help people recover from a cold. Juices and smoothies can also provide nutritional intake when people have no appetite.

What is the safest pain reliever for pregnant women?

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin. Research suggests that acetaminophen is the safest pain relief drug to use during pregnancy, with recommendations to use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest time.

How long should you wash your hands to prevent the common cold?

To prevent the common cold, the CDC. Trusted Source. recommend: washing the hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when this is not possible.

How long does it take for a cold to go away?

The symptoms are temporary, and in most cases, the cold will be gone in 7–10 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. symptoms that last more than 10 days. symptoms of the flu.

Is acetaminophen safe for colds?

An article published in American Family Physician (AFP) reports acetaminophen to be safe to use during all trimesters on its own, but not necessarily in combination with other cold remedies that contain a range of other ingredients. However, the article states that NSAIDs may carry risks.

Is it safe to take cough suppressants while pregnant?

OTC cough suppressants often contain medications such as dextromethorphan and guaifenesin. According to the AFP, these medications appear to be safe during pregnancy in the correct doses. However, it may be best to consider drug-free options as the first line of defense.

What is the best medicine for a cold while pregnant?

OTC medications for colds and flus include. Tylenol ( acetaminophen) Guaifenesin syrup. Saline nasal drops or spray. Tylenol Sinus.

Why do pregnant women get colds?

Pregnant women are highly likely to pick up a cold at some time during pregnancy because it's normal to catch two or three colds a year. A healthy lifestyle is a must to keep the immune system strong and to prevent colds.

How to avoid colds?

Avoid close contact with people who have a cold. Wash your hands for 20 seconds every few hours. Use a clean towel to dry your hands. Avoid touching your face, especially your nose and eyes to prevent infection.

What is the common cold?

The common cold or viral rhinitis is an upper respiratory infection caused by several types of viruses. It is one of the most common infectious diseases affecting humans. A common cold may typically follow a certain pattern of progression that has four different stages.

How to get rid of a cold after a cold?

Drinking warm water with two to three teaspoons of honey mixed in to curb dry cough that may occur after having a cold. Taking prenatal vitamins and zinc may help increase your resistance to combat a cold or flu. Making sure to eat a healthy diet even when you don’t have much of an appetite.

What are the symptoms of the cold and flu?

Though the common cold and flu share many signs and symptoms, they are caused by different viruses. Signs and symptoms include sneezing, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, and cough. Treatment options for the cold and flu are similar and focus on reducing symptoms.

How to get rid of congestion in a room?

Putting an air humidifier in your room to provide extra moisture in case of congestion. Increasing the intake of vitamin C -rich foods, such as oranges, strawberries, kiwis, melon, mangoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, papaya, red cabbage and spinach.

What to do when pregnant with a cold?

Some of the great home remedies for cold when you are pregnant are as follows-. 1. Turmeric for cold in Pregnancy-. It is one of the best ingredients to fight off any infection from the body. Turmeric is rich in antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It helps to fight off any cold, and cough especially during pregnancy.

How to prevent colds naturally?

Some of the natural ways to prevent a cold is-. Get enough sleep- Taking proper rest is very much needed. Your body has a great way of fighting the bacteria and infection when you are asleep. Also, taking proper rest makes you feel energetic and keeps you away from any illness.

How long does it take for a cold to go away?

Cold comes with little to no fever, sore throat in the cold goes away in one or two days. It’s main symptoms runny nose and cough remains for a longer time.

What do expectant mothers need?

An expectant mom’s body needs proteins, vitamins, and healthy fats. So, focus mainly on your diet as it is very necessary for a healthy baby and healthy mom. Reduce stress- Stressing about anything during pregnancy, affects your child’s growth and health.

Why is it important to rest during the cold?

Cold reduces our immune power. Pregnant women’s immune system is already lowered. So, it is very necessary to have proper rest during the cold. This will give you the energy to fight off the infection and also your cold won’t pass to any of the other family members. 7. Steam for cold in Pregnancy-.

How to keep yourself hydrated when you have a cold?

So, always keep yourself hydrated, you can drink water or some fluids.

What is the best home remedy?

The best home remedy product which we find in our home. Coconut oil is very beneficial and helps to cure almost everything. It is loaded with antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.

What to do when you have a cold while pregnant?

Homemade Chicken Soup. Sipping on a hot bowl of chicken soup is one of the tastiest and most comforting ways to treat a cold in pregnancy. Homemade chicken soup is rich in anti-inflammatory properties as well as nutrients and vitamins that help fight the infection from within.

What is the best way to stop a cold and cough during pregnancy?

Salt Water. Blocked nasal passages easily take the cake when it comes to the discomforts that come in the wake of a cold and cough, particularly so during pregnancy. One remedy for this symptom that rarely misses its mark is salt water. Advertisements.

How to cure a sore throat during pregnancy?

The properties found in turmeric can boost your immunity and can be effective at easing a sore throat and nasal inflammation. Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and a little crushed black pepper to 1 glass of warm milk.

How to get rid of a cough during pregnancy?

Here are the top home remedies to get relief from a cold and cough during pregnancy. 1. Cool Bath. To reduce your fever when suffering from a cold and cough, you can take a cool or lukewarm sponge bath. This is one of the safest, easiest, and all-natural ways to bring down and normalize a high body temperature. [4]

How to use saline nasal irrigation during pregnancy?

[5] Mix ½ teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm distilled, sterile, or previously boiled tap water.

Why do you need to rest while pregnant?

Rest is crucial when you are pregnant, and more so when suffering from an illness while pregnant. It is the best way to give your body the time and energy to fight off the infection.

How to help your immune system during pregnancy?

Avoid white sugar and limit grains. Lowering or reducing stress can help support your immune system, which is especially important in pregnancy. Drink lots of herbal tea and hot liquids, at least one cup every 3 hours. However, certain herbal concoctions might be detrimental to your or your baby’s health.