Pregnancy is, of course, a happy period in the life of every woman. But he makes her body work with increased load, because of which the waiting time for a child can sometimes be accompanied by some discomfort. Increased susceptibility to SARS is one of the unpleasant “side effects” of pregnancy. The situation is complicated by the fact that all potent drugs that quickly relieve symptoms can not be taken, and can only be treated with safe, but not such fast-acting drugs.
Why are pregnant women prone to frequent SARS?
The body of a woman during pregnancy noticeably weakens. This is a normal protective reaction, which is necessary so that the fetus is not perceived as a foreign agent and there is no rejection of it. But due to the depressed state of the immune system, the expectant mother becomes more prone to respiratory diseases, especially in the cold season. Therefore, ARVI during pregnancy (3 trimester is also no exception) is quite common.
All people daily come into contact with viruses and bacteria, but this does not always end in infection and disease. The fact is that nature, in addition to general human immunity, provided for local protection. For example, the air that enters through the nose is moistened and filtered from dust, as well as foreign viruses and bacteria. As a result, they settle on the mucosa and then are excreted with secretions. But during pregnancy, there is often increased dryness of the nose, which is why local immunity does not work so actively.
Symptoms
ARVI during pregnancy (3 trimester) in its manifestations is no different from the symptoms of this ailment in other periods of a woman's life. It is characterized by such features:
- a sharp onset of the disease;
- headache;
- weakness and a feeling of muscle fatigue;
- sore and sore throat;
- very thin, clear nasal discharge;
- tearing of the eyes, their painful reaction to bright light;
- fever.
During acute respiratory viral infections, severe fever is rare, usually the readings on the thermometer do not exceed 37.5 ° C, although a more severe course of the disease is sometimes possible due to pregnancy. During the period of expectation of the child, many pathological processes do not proceed as easily as in the "ordinary" life of a woman. But with a competent approach, they respond well to treatment and pass quickly. One of these conditions is ARVI during pregnancy (3 trimester). The treatment of this disease includes a number of measures that alleviate symptoms and accelerate recovery.
What is the peculiarity of treatment in 3 trimester?
Faced with an ailment, many expectant mothers are wondering about how to treat ARVI during pregnancy. 3rd trimester in this regard is the safest, since all the main systems and organs of the fetus are already formed, therefore, the list of drugs approved for use is expanding. But still, you should not resort to the help of powerful medications unless absolutely necessary, because the child is still developing inside, and it is better to protect him from any (even theoretical) harm. Preference should be given to alternative methods of treatment and homeopathy.
It is very important to observe bed rest, even if the expectant mother does not have a temperature, or she is not high. During this period, walks on the street and homework should be completely ruled out until the condition normalizes. You often need to gargle, rinse your nose and measure your body temperature. If it reaches above 37.8 ° C, it must be knocked down.
Rinse nose with a cold
Since it is impossible to use vasoconstrictor drugs for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections during pregnancy (3 trimester), it is very necessary to rinse and clean your nose. This will relieve the nasal cavity of edema, mucus and normalize the woman’s breathing. For this purpose, ready-made saline solutions sold in pharmacies or home-made products are excellent. The concentration of sodium chloride in the medicine should be physiological (that is, familiar to the human body) and be approximately 0.09%.
During the procedure, the solution should not be drawn in very tightly so that inflammation of the middle ear does not develop. When blowing your nose, you need to cover one nostril, because otherwise the pressure in the nasal cavity may increase. After the procedure is completed, the nasal mucosa can be greased with a small amount of homemade olive and peppermint oil balm. This will help maintain the effect and improve breathing. The ratio of olive to peppermint oils is 20: 1.
How to get rid of a sore throat?
Sore throat is one of the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections during pregnancy (3 trimester). Treatment of this unpleasant phenomenon is better to start with rinses. The advantages of this method:
- during the procedure, the treatment solution comes into contact with the entire surface of the oral cavity and the posterior pharyngeal wall;
- when rinsing, pathogenic microbes are mechanically removed;
- the drug acts only in this area and practically does not enter the systemic circulation.
For rinsing, you can use the alcohol version of chlorophyllipt or a decoction of calendula. Pregnant women should not use solutions of sage and chamomile, since these funds can increase the tone of the uterus if accidentally swallowed. A good softening effect is brought by propolis tincture diluted in boiled water, but it can not be used in cases of an allergy to a future mother for honey and beekeeping products.
When do I need to bring down a fever?
The only safe antipyretic medicine that can be used during pregnancy is paracetamol. The dosage and regimen should be prescribed by the attending physician. This is an important condition even for the treatment of seemingly mild ARVI during pregnancy (3 trimester). The recommendations of a specialist will effectively reduce the temperature without risking harm to the child.
It is necessary to reduce it after the mark reaches 37.8-38 ° C. Up to this point, it is better not to take an antipyretic so that the body can fight the infection. With high numbers in the 3rd trimester, the risk of developing disorders of the nervous system in the fetus is great. In addition, this can lead to too early labor, so you should not endure the intense heat of the body.
Inhalation at home
To facilitate nasal breathing at home, you can carry out steam inhalation with essential oils. The only contraindication is allergy or individual intolerance. Before the procedure, you need to rinse your nose well with saline so that the healing substances with steam penetrate deeply through the mucous membranes.
You can use essential oils of such plants:
- menthol (improves breathing and eliminates congestion);
- lemon (increases vitality);
- cloves (has antiseptic properties).
In a wide container with hot, but not boiling water, you need to add a few drops of essential oil and bend over it at a distance of 15-20 cm from the surface of the water. It is not necessary to cover yourself with a towel on top, so as not to create the effect of a steam sauna (this is not necessary during pregnancy). It is necessary to breathe over hot aromatic water for 3-5 minutes, after which it is better to lie down to rest or sleep.
SARS during pregnancy (3 trimester): a description of the differences from a bacterial infection
ARVI, as a rule, proceeds in a milder form than a bacterial infection. Due to the virus, body temperature rarely rises above 38 ° C, the throat hurts moderately (rather, perspiration), and the discharge from the nose is transparent or white. When the bacterial pathogenic flora multiplies in the human body, intense heat is often noted, acute discomfort when swallowing and a significant deterioration in the general condition. Separated from the nasal passages turns greenish, which indicates the presence of pus.
If the doctor has doubts about the nature of the disease, he can prescribe a detailed clinical blood test to the pregnant woman. The study will show whether there are changes in the leukocyte formula, and how much the erythrocyte sedimentation rate has increased. If their values are very different from normal, an antibiotic and additional medications may be needed for treatment.
Are antibiotics always needed?
With uncomplicated viral infections, using antibiotics does not make sense. They do not speed up the treatment process, since they kill only bacteria. Moreover, against the background of their intake, a person may develop intestinal dysbiosis or allergies. This should be taken into account when selecting therapy for acute respiratory viral infections during pregnancy (3 trimester). In this case, antibiotic treatment may be justified if a severe bacterial infection has joined.
In the last stages of gestation, these drugs are acceptable, since they cannot cause congenital pathologies in a child. Safe antibiotics can help mom recover if it’s not a banal ARVI during pregnancy (3 trimester). Contraindications to the use of each of them are always indicated in the instructions. Before using the medicine (even after consulting a doctor), it is better to make sure that the drug can be taken by expectant mothers.
ARVI during pregnancy (3 trimester): consequences and complications
A timely diagnosed and cured respiratory infection usually does not cause significant harm to either the unborn mother or the baby. Things are much more difficult with neglected cases in which a woman is tormented by a strong cough and high body temperature. Because of the heat, premature birth can begin, so it is important to bring it down on time. In addition to medicines, a plentiful warm drink is suitable for relieving symptoms of intoxication, but only if the pregnant woman does not have edema.
A cough can cause severe discomfort to both the mother and the fetus, who, in the 3rd trimester, already become cramped in the uterus. Sudden movements of the chest during this lead to increased pressure and hypoxia, which is extremely undesirable. In general, it is difficult for a woman to endure a prolonged ARVI during pregnancy (3 trimester). Treatment of this condition should be adequate and contribute to the rapid recovery of the expectant mother, who has to gain strength before the approaching birth.
Prevention
A woman expecting a baby needs to be careful about her body and in every possible way avoid dangerous factors that can lead to various diseases. Prevention of acute respiratory viral infections during pregnancy (3 trimester) is reduced to a healthy lifestyle, good nutrition and giving up bad habits, which, in principle, are contraindicated during this period.
In the epidemic season, you need to limit the time spent in crowded areas. When visiting a gynecologist in a clinic, it is advisable to use a one-time protective mask so as not to catch the infection, sitting in line or walking along the corridors.
A pregnant woman needs to sleep enough hours so that the body does not overwork. In autumn and winter, you should dress warmly and walk outside for a short time at very low temperatures. Fresh air is useful and important for the future mother, but staying outside the home should be comfortable, because hypothermia of the body in this position is extremely undesirable.