What should a pregnant woman do if she has a cold and is coughing?
Sep 13, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Aiming
Introduction
If a pregnant woman has a cold and cough with only mild symptoms, it is clinically recommended not to take medication. It is advised that pregnant women consume more fruits high in vitamin C or drink fresh fruit juice to enhance disease resistance and relieve symptoms. They should also drink plenty of water. If the cold and cough symptoms are severe, to prevent viral infection affecting the fetus, antiviral treatment should be promptly administered under a doctor's guidance.
It is crucial for women to maintain good health during pregnancy. However, if a woman develops an illness while pregnant, it may not only endanger her own health but also affect the health of the fetus. What should be done if a pregnant woman catches a cold and starts coughing?
What to do if a pregnant woman catches a cold and coughs
If a pregnant woman has only mild symptoms of a cold and cough, she is clinically advised not to take medication. Instead, it is recommended that she consume more fruits rich in vitamin C or drink fresh fruit juice to boost immunity and alleviate symptoms. She should also drink plenty of water. If the symptoms of cold and cough are severe, antiviral medications should be taken promptly under a doctor's guidance to prevent fetal viral infection, such as antiviral oral liquids or Banlangen granules. These treatments typically involve small dosages with minimal side effects and often use traditional Chinese medicine. If the patient also experiences phlegm with coughing, fresh bamboo sap can be taken to help relieve symptoms. Additionally, proper room ventilation and appropriate indoor humidity levels should be maintained in the patient’s room.
During pregnancy, especially in the early stages, if a pregnant woman develops cold-like symptoms, it is important to further evaluate whether the symptoms are severe. Most colds are common colds, which are self-limiting diseases that usually resolve naturally within about seven days.
Symptoms of a common cold are generally mild and may include nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. They usually do not involve high fever, cough, or pus-containing phlegm, and therefore require no special treatment. Pregnant women can improve by getting adequate rest and drinking more water, with symptoms typically resolving within about a week. We hope this information helps. Wishing you good health and happiness.
