Written by Dr Nihan Khan
During pregnancy, the immunity level of a woman will be lower than normal. This actually keeps the body from fighting off the baby, who is, technically, a “foreign body” and our body always has a tendency to eliminate anything that seems foreign to it. The drawback of this immune suppression is that the body may not be able to fight off even simple infections making the expecting mother more vulnerable to common infections like the cold and flu (also known as influenza).
Unlike when you are not pregnant, during pregnancy, there are several things to take care of, even if you catch otherwise harmless and quite common colds and flu. This article will help you to deal with cold and flu during your gestation period.
In This Article
Generally, we hear cold and flu together and think that they are the same. But, they are separate entities, caused by different viruses. Viruses like rhinovirus, seasonal coronaviruses, parainfluenza cause the common cold while influenza virus causes the flu [1]. They both share almost similar symptoms, hence making it difficult to differentiate clinically. These infections are contagious and involve the upper respiratory tract.
Due to a lower immune response in pregnancy, women are prone to getting sick from these viruses. The symptoms during pregnancy are:
Initially, cold and flu during pregnancy were thought to be a mere annoying infection causing discomfort. The child in the womb is not supposed to be affected if the mother is infected with common cold or influenza.
A few studies show the association of maternal fever on the developing fetus. If the cold and flu is associated with fever, then there are chances of developing birth defects like anencephaly, spina bifida [2]. A cold and flu without fever generally does not cause any significant effect on the fetus.
Certain complications of cold and flu during pregnancy include:
A different group of virus causes the flu, and its symptoms will be more intense than cold. Here are the main differences between cold and flu:
Differences Between Cold And Flu | |
Cold | Flu |
Causes a blocked nose and then a runny nose | Infectious and severe symptoms |
Milder | Severe |
Symptoms of a cold develop gradually | The onset of flu will be sudden |
There will be little (less than 100F) or no fever | High fever (102°F to 104°F or higher) accompanies the flu |
A sore throat that develops with the cold will disappear in a couple of days | The sore throat will start to worsen by the second or third day |
Mild headache (occasionally) | Severe headache is common |
Mild weakness/fatigue | Extreme weakness/ fatigue |
[Read : Cough During Pregnancy]
With more than 200 types of cold viruses roaming around, it can be difficult to escape from getting a cold. That is why it is called the “common cold.” You can easily get the infection by touching the infected surfaces or through cough and sneezing of the infected person. In spite of these facts, by taking specific measures, you can decrease the chances of catching a cold during pregnancy:
There are no treatments for the virus that causes the common cold. Medicines are usually taken to soothe the symptoms rather than cure a cold. The cold will resolve itself within a week. Many of the medications you use to alleviate the annoying symptoms of cold are usually not safe to take in the course of pregnancy. Particularly during the first three months, you should avoid taking any medicines as much as possible. Never take medicine without the approval of your doctor. If the symptoms of cold are bothering you a lot, the following will help you to get relief faster:
Many pregnant women are not comfortable taking medicines during pregnancy. For such women, natural remedies come handy. Some of them are:
You can take plenty of rest and keep yourself warm if you happen to catch the flu during pregnancy. Avoiding dehydration is a must, and you may take paracetamol (after confirmation from your doctor) to lower a fever if it has been running high.
Your doctor may recommend antiviral medicines that may reduce the risk of potential complications though they will not cure the flu. In case you think you have contracted the flu, contact your doctor immediately to avoid the risk of complications.
[Read: How To Handle Dehydration During Pregnancy?]
Pregnancy is not a time to ignore even a common cold. Therefore, consult your gynecologist if:
Unlike the common cold, if the expecting mother develops flu, especially during the later stages of pregnancy, they have higher chances of developing secondary complications, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. They will be at risk of preterm labor and premature birth [5].
Taking a flu shot during pregnancy( will shield the expecting mother as well as the baby (till six months after delivery).The flu vaccination, though, may have some mild side effects like redness or swelling at the site of injection, mild headache and fever.
The only way to prevent getting flu during pregnancy is to take the flu shot. Ideally, the best time to take the shot during pregnancy is before the seasonal flu starts. Taking the vaccine any time during pregnancy protects the mother and the baby from the deleterious complications of the flu [6]. Other ways to keep the flu away is to follow good hygiene. Avoid large gatherings and close contact with sick people. The use of face mask can also reduce the risk of infection greatly.
So, if you are pregnant and are feeling unde ethe weather then don’t delay to take your flu shot. This will make sure that you will have a healthy pregnant ahead. Make sure to incorporate a nutritious diet full of antioxidants. A warm cup of soup can show wonders and help you with cold and flu during pregnancy.
Read Also: Flu Shot During Pregnancy – Is it Safe?
During all stages of pregnancy, paracetamol is considered safe. Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) should not be used during pregnancy unless recommended by your doctor.
Usually, an uncomplicated flu takes around three to seven days to get better. Although, the weakness and fatigue can last upto two weeks. Some pregnant women might take a little longer to recover completely due to weak immunity.
Yes, it’s very easy to catch a cold during pregnancy and it can be worse than usual. This is because of a weak immune system in pregnancy which makes it difficult to fight off the infections. Hence, symptoms of cold are slightly more and takes a longer time to get better.
References –
Dill During Pregnancy: Benefits and Side Effects
Nipple Stimulation to Induce Labor – How Does it Work and Tips to Perform
500 Popular Telugu Baby Boy Names With Meaning
Honitus Syrup in Pregnancy – Is it Safe to Have?
E Coli During pregnancy – Will it Affect?
Top 500 Modern Baby Boy Names Starting With D
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