What to do about chronic pharyngitis during pregnancy
Nov 27, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lu Cheng
Introduction
For pregnant women with chronic pharyngitis, management should include adjusting diet, improving the living environment,适度补水润喉 (moderate hydration to soothe the throat), mild physical relief methods, and using medications safely as directed by a physician. Medication use during pregnancy must strictly avoid potential risks. If severe sore throat, fever, or difficulty swallowing occurs, prompt medical evaluation is recommended. Opt for light, easily digestible liquid or semi-liquid foods.
Pregnancy complicated by chronic pharyngitis requires management through dietary adjustments, improved living environment, moderate hydration to soothe the throat, gentle physical relief methods, and safe medication use under medical guidance. Medication during pregnancy must strictly avoid potential risks. If severe sore throat, fever, or difficulty swallowing occurs, prompt medical evaluation is recommended.
1. Adjust diet: Choose light, easily digestible liquid or semi-liquid foods. Increase intake of fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement vitamins. Avoid spicy, greasy, overly sweet foods, as well as tobacco and alcohol, to reduce irritation and burden on the pharyngeal mucosa.
2. Improve living environment: Maintain indoor ventilation and humidity. Avoid exposure to irritants such as dust, cooking fumes, and cold air. Use a humidifier if necessary to reduce factors that trigger dryness and discomfort in the throat.
3. Moderate hydration to soothe the throat: Drink warm water in small amounts throughout the day, or consume honey water or diluted lemon water in moderation. This helps keep the pharyngeal mucosa moist and alleviates symptoms like dryness and itching. Avoid drinking large volumes of water at once.
4. Gentle physical relief: Gargle with mild saline solution 2–3 times daily to clean the throat and reduce local inflammation. Avoid excessive voice use and reduce talking frequency to allow the throat adequate rest.
5. Use medication safely under medical guidance: Do not self-administer antibiotics or traditional Chinese medicines. Only use locally acting medications considered safe during pregnancy—such as mouthwashes or gargling solutions—under a doctor’s supervision to prevent adverse effects on the fetus.
Maintain sufficient sleep and avoid staying up late. Engage in mild physical activities such as walking to enhance immunity. Keep a positive mood and avoid anxiety, which may worsen discomfort. Through scientific self-care, reduce the frequency of chronic pharyngitis flare-ups.
