Associated symptoms
A respiratory infection during pregnancy leads to the typical symptoms of a cold. These include a cold, cough, hoarseness and sore throat. In addition, sick women usually feel tired and exhausted.
Due to the infection of the upper respiratory tract, the inflamed mucous membranes of the paranasal sinuses swell and cause an increase in pressure in the skull, which manifests itself in the form of headaches. Aching limbs can also occur in isolated cases. More severe infections can also cause fever, but the measured temperature is usually no higher than 38.5° Celsius. If the fever is high, it is possible that it is not a simple respiratory tract infection but a flu (influenza). In such a case, the person affected must then see a doctor as soon as possible to initiate the appropriate treatment.
Treatment / Therapy
Pregnant women should take as little medication as possible in order not to harm their unborn child. Some herbal substances can also have a negative effect on the child. If the nose is very congested, which makes breathing impossible, patients can use a nasal spray.
However, this should not be taken for longer than a week. Alternatively, there are also a number of home remedies that help with mild cold symptoms. These include inhaling with essential oils to clear the nose and sinuses, rinsing the blocked nose with a saltwater solution or warm compresses for sore throats.
If the symptoms are severe and have not improved after three days, a doctor should be consulted. The same applies to fever above 38.5° Celsius. Then it may be necessary to take medication.
Taking paracetamol during pregnancy is considered safe and helps to relieve the symptoms and lower the fever. Nevertheless, any intake of medication during pregnancy should be clarified with a doctor or pharmacist in order to avoid any risk to the unborn child. Treatment of a respiratory tract infection during pregnancy is only necessary if the illness is caused by bacteria.
In the case of viral infections, antibiotics make absolutely no sense and do not cause any improvement in symptoms. The doctor will only prescribe an antibiotic to a pregnant woman if it is absolutely necessary and the infection is very persistent. When choosing the antibiotic, it is important to consider whether it is approved for pregnant women.
Antibiotics are not prescribed lightly during pregnancy. However, in the event of complications of a respiratory infection and serious illness caused by bacteria (such as pneumonia), the use of an antibiotic sometimes cannot be prevented. Not all antibiotics are dangerous for unborn children, which is why certain preparations can also be administered during pregnancy. Therefore, the doctor treating the child must always weigh up the risk of antibiotic treatment against the risk of an untreated, possibly serious illness.
