Despite the natural defense mechanisms, pregnancy reduces the ability of the body of a woman carrying a child to resist external influences. Hormonal changes and fetal growth weaken the immune system, which causes diseases of viral origin. Features of the condition require specific treatment methods.
Statistics show that more than 2/3 of pregnant women get sick during this period of ARVI, colloquially referred to as colds. The disease really occurs against the background of general hypothermia, but, unlike acute respiratory infections, it is transmitted by airborne droplets from the carrier of the virus to a new potential carrier, which often becomes a pregnant woman. The viruses that cause the disease, multiplying in a favorable environment, which are weakened organisms, get in public places on the unprotected mucous membrane, penetrate through it into the cells and begin to migrate through the body. Spontaneously ARVI does not go away, in order to effectively treat, medications are needed, the use of which is considered undesirable in this position. The methods used by doctors in any trimester are somewhat different from the usual therapy for a viral infection.
Types of viral infections and features of their course in a pregnant woman
Any virus that causes SARS infects the body through the respiratory system and enters the body through epithelial cells and then through the bloodstream. It doesn't matter if it is influenza or parainfluenza, adenovirus or respiratory syncytial infection, reovirus, adenovirus or enterovirus. Intoxication that develops in the body in varying degrees of severity is the result of the vital activity of the virus. During the pregnancy period, the immune system is rebuilt so as not to reject the fetus, and the body has a reduced resistance. The second potential danger manifests itself in the third trimester due to the raising of the uterus of the diaphragm. Movement of the lungs is limited, the tone of smooth muscles is reduced. All this creates the prerequisites for the development of a complicated course of the disease.
At the same time, the arsenal of possible means to carry out treatment is much smaller, because the medicine can also affect the fetus. A woman must necessarily be treated in order to avoid the pathological effects of microorganisms. They can lead to severe disruptions in the natural course of pregnancy:
- provoke a violation of metabolic intraplacental processes;
- further reduce the activity of immune cells;
- if it enters the embryonic bladder, cause disturbances in the development of the fetus;
- with a significant multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms, lead to the death of the embryo.
Any symptom of ARVI, diagnosed as a cold, during pregnancy signals a potential danger to a bearing child and requires elimination as a factor that can cause this or that complication.
SARS symptoms and potential danger
With ARVI, symptoms similar to those of a cold are observed. Each of them is the result of the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms and can lead to irreversible consequences:
- temperature, usually subfebrile, indicates an increase in the body's resistance, but can cause rejection of the fetus as a result of decreased blood flow;
- untreated cough causes the development of complications (pharyngitis, laryngitis) due to sputum production;
- a runny nose makes it difficult for a woman to breathe, which leads to an increase in the symptoms of intoxication and thereby reduces the supply of oxygen to the fetus;
- severe intoxication with the fruits of the vital activity of the virus leads to poisoning, which can penetrate even through the protective germinal bladder
Deterioration of the general condition, weakness, muscle pain, headache - all these are symptoms of a viral infection characteristic of a person starting to get sick. But if at normal times this can be dealt with using strong medications, in particular, an antibiotic or an immunostimulating drug, then such drugs are prohibited during pregnancy. Taking unauthorized drugs in the early period of fetal formation can be especially detrimental. A contraindicated drug can cause deformities and congenital anomalies in the unborn baby.
Treatment of temperature with a viral infection
Modern medicine does not consider it necessary to bring down the temperature, which does not reach +38 degrees. This is evidence of the struggle that the body is waging against the virus. After overcoming this barrier, there is a danger of changes in protein structures. Since none of the usual means for churning is suitable, during pregnancy, you can only use vinegar lotions and drinking plenty of fluids with an antipyretic effect. You can drink:
- weak green tea with honey and lemon;
- decoction of chamomile;
- tea with raspberry jam;
- rosehip broth;
- cranberry juice;
- brewed linden blossom.
Some of the listed decoctions and teas not only increase perspiration, which in itself lowers the temperature, but also have a known antipyretic effect. So that is enough for many women to feel better.
Although medications should not be taken as an antipyretic, sometimes doctors allow paracetamol. But only as a last resort, if the woman's condition does not improve with folk and safe means. Use only after consulting a doctor, strictly in the prescribed dosage.
Cough and runny nose treatment
Treatment for coughs and runny nose should be started as soon as a person becomes ill. An unproductive (dry) cough should be converted into a productive (wet) cough, and an expectorant should be used not of medicinal, but of plant origin. Treatment with ordinary table salt has a beneficial effect on coughs. Productively coughing up phlegm in order to remove the products of the disease-causing virus from the body is helped by inhalation with medicinal herbs or medicinal aromatic oils. No chemical product should be used.
Gargling, which is used for sore throat, can also give an expectorant effect. They are useful as an antitussive measure while there is a dry cough that irritates the throat. With a runny nose, you need to keep your feet warm, but in no case do not soar, it is better to just insulate. You can rinse your nose with warm water and salt, drip with safe herbal preparations (Aqua Maris or Sinupret).
Things to Remember
It is impossible to get sick with viral diseases during pregnancy, but any woman is at risk of getting sick during an epidemic. The disease should not be allowed to take its course; something must be done with it. Better to use simple and natural treatments:
- herbal decoctions and plentiful drinking;
- rinsing the nose and allowed drops;
- inhalations and rinses;
- salt or rubbing compresses;
- aroma oils and herbal medicine.
The treatment will last longer, relief will not come as soon as with synthetic medicines, but the fetus will not be at risk. It is necessary to apply gentle treatment regardless of the woman's age, even if you are not sure about pregnancy and only saw a positive test.
During pregnancy, you should increase the body's resistance with healthy food, walks in the fresh air and the use of juices, fruit drinks, decoctions of herbs, vegetables and fruits. You cannot avoid large crowds of people where there are potential carriers of the virus, but you can find an infection in the body fully armed, ready for possible troubles and full of strength. Otherwise, it will be extremely difficult to defeat the virus.
