What should be done if a pregnant woman has a flu before giving birth?

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Medical Video: Samantha's Flu and Pregnancy Story

During pregnancy, a woman's body will experience changes. The changes that occur can affect the immune system, heart, and lungs. Not to mention the presence of decreased lung capacity and increased heart rate during pregnancy. Not infrequently, this will suppress and affect the immune system, making women vulnerable to colds while pregnant. Then, what can be done when getting a cold before giving birth?

Exposed to flu while pregnant

Flu or influenza, is a viral infection of the respiratory tract. Influenza comes suddenly, lasts for 7 to 10 days, and usually goes away. While flu that occurs during pregnancy, generally can lead to flu complications, such as pneumonia and dehydration.

Often people consider flu is a mild disease that will heal only by resting so that the treatment for flu is often ignored. The reason is, when someone is pregnant, women become more vulnerable to the risk of getting the disease and can lead to more intense care at the hospital. How many studies have found that getting cold while pregnant can increase the chances of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight.

What should be done when getting a cold before giving birth?

If you start feeling flu symptoms, or even have the flu, it's good to contact your doctor immediately. Doctors can prescribe you safe antiviral drugs to treat colds. Flu medicine that is safe for consumption while reducing fever and treating pain during flu is acetaminophen (paracetamol). Other drugs that may be safe include dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, or cough medicine according to a doctor's prescription.

Pregnant women are not recommended to carry out strenuous activities especially when exposed to the flu, and must rest. Increase consumption of healthy foods for pregnant women who are nutritious, such as vegetables, fruits, especially those that contain lots of vitamin C to increase endurance. To deal with a blocked nose, use essential oils. Drink more water because the flu makes the mother vulnerable to dehydration.

Keep in mind, do not use over-the-counter cold medicines in stores, herbal products or diet supplements without first talking to a doctor. Because not all over-the-counter drugs or supplements can be safely consumed during pregnancy.

Prevent injecting flu vaccines while pregnant

Quoted from American Pregnancywomen who are pregnant are advised to take flu vaccines to prevent flu during pregnancy. Vaccines or flu shots are fairly safe for the mother and fetus. You can get injections of flu vaccines while you are pregnant.

The only side effects of injecting flu vaccines include pain, pressure pain, and redness in the part of the body injected. However, a nasal spray flu vaccine (LAIV) is not recommended for pregnant women, or those who are trying to get pregnant. Because the nasal spray arena contains a living strain of the virus, thus endangering the condition of the woman.

What should be done if a pregnant woman has a flu before giving birth?
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