Contents:
- Medical Video: Samantha's Flu and Pregnancy Story
- Symptoms of pneumonia in pregnant women
- Causes of pneumonia during pregnancy
- Are there any complications that might occur to the mother and baby during pregnancy?
- Treatment of pneumonia during pregnancy
- How to prevent pneumonia in pregnant women
Medical Video: Samantha's Flu and Pregnancy Story
Pneumonia is a pulmonary infectious disease that is quite serious and has a risk of death for anyone, including pregnant women. Pneumonia in pregnant women can pose a high risk of complications and can be bad for the fetus. Then, what are the symptoms of pneumonia in pregnant women? What treatment should be done?
Symptoms of pneumonia in pregnant women
When you are infected with pneumonia, the body will usually show its first variety of signs through attacks of flu and colds that are quite disturbing and prolonged. In addition, there are various symptoms of pneumonia in other pregnant women to watch out for, namely:
- Hard to breathe
- The body feels hot and cold
- Chest pain
- Cough that worsens
- Excessive fatigue
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- The pattern of breathing becomes faster
- Gag
- Throat pain
- Headache
- Pain all over the body
Usually these symptoms will appear throughout the pregnancy from the first trimester to the third with increasing intensity.
Causes of pneumonia during pregnancy
Own pregnancy increases a person's risk of getting pneumonia. This is because the body works harder than usual to support the growth of the fetus in the womb. As a result, the immune system experiences excessive natural decline which makes it more susceptible to disease, including flu.
The virus that causes flu which eventually enters and spreads into the lungs can cause pneumonia. Other viral infections that can also be a cause of pneumonia, namely respiratory distress syndrome and varicella or chicken pox.
Not only that, bacterial infections are also the most common cause of the emergence of pneumonia. Various bacteria that can be the cause of pneumonia, namely:
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
In addition, pneumonia in pregnant women can occur if:
- Having anemia
- Have asthma
- Have certain chronic diseases
- Has a weak immune system
- Smoke
- Routinely visiting hospitals so that they are susceptible to bacteria and viruses
Are there any complications that might occur to the mother and baby during pregnancy?
Pregnant women affected by pneumonia usually experience shortness of breath, resulting in a decrease in the amount of oxygen entering the entire body. This also affects the oxygen supply to the fetus.
In quite severe cases, pneumonia in pregnant women can cause:
- Babies born prematurely
- Babies born with low body weight
- Miscarriage
- Respiratory failure
Blood flow can also be infected with bacteria as a result of widespread lung infections. Although pneumonia causes the mother to experience a severe cough. Fortunately, the effects on babies need not be too worrying.
Because the baby is surrounded by amniotic fluid which functions as a silencer and protects the baby from vibration, sound, and also pressure including those caused by coughing.
Treatment of pneumonia during pregnancy
Treatment of pneumonia is adjusted for the cause, whether the virus or bacteria that causes the infection. Usually drugs used to treat pneumonia are generally safe to use during pregnancy.
Antiviral drugs and respiratory therapy can be used as initial treatment. If you are infected with this disease due to certain bacterial infections, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) are also safe to use to reduce fever and pain.
Before using over-the-counter drugs on the market, it's a good idea to consult a doctor first to prevent undesirable things. Maintaining hydration and adequate rest can also help speed recovery.
How to prevent pneumonia in pregnant women
Some ways you can practice to minimize the risk of contracting viruses and bacteria that cause pneumonia, namely:
- Wash your hands frequently
- Enough rest
- Eat hygienic and nutritious food
- Exercise regularly
- avoid contact with sick people
- Do not smoke
- Regular physical exercise to strengthen the body's immune system
- Doing a flu vaccine. This is done in addition to preventing pneumonia from the flu virus, also to protect the baby from the flu after birth until the age of six months.
