Generality
A cold in pregnancy is a very common disorder, especially with the onset of the cold season.
More precisely, it is a viral infection that usually occurs during the winter months. Generally, a cold is a rather simple condition to treat and, in the great majority of cases, it tends to resolve itself in a short time, sometimes, without resorting to the use of any drug. Unfortunately, in some cases, colds in pregnancy may require longer healing periods, especially when it is not possible to take the drugs normally used to counteract the symptoms.
What is that
What is a Cold in Pregnancy?
The cold in pregnancy is an acute viral infection, belonging to the group of colds, so defined because they tend to occur precisely during the colder seasons.
The cold in pregnancy does not differ from the common cold that can affect any other individual, except for the fact that - due to the impossibility of taking many types of drugs - when it affects pregnant women it may take longer to resolve.
However, generally, a cold in pregnancy is not considered an excessively serious disorder. However, should it occur, it is still advisable to seek medical attention in order to avoid the appearance of complications that could lead to more serious disorders.
Causes
What causes Cold in Pregnancy?
As mentioned, a cold in pregnancy is caused by a viral infection. There are really many viruses that can cause this disorder. At the moment, in fact, there are more than 200 known species that can cause it. Among these many types of viruses, we mention some of the most widespread:
- Rhinovirus (they are considered the main culprits of the cold, in fact, it is estimated that they are involved in 30-80% of cases);
- Coronavirus (involved in 10-15% of cases);
- Human parainfluenza viruses (involving 1-3% of cases);
- Adenovirus .
Risk Factors of Cold in Pregnancy
During gestation, the woman's body undergoes many changes, both physical and mental. This situation can lead to stress conditions which can lead to a weakening of the immune system. The viruses that come into contact with the pregnant woman, therefore, may be able to replicate freely without being hindered by the immune system, thus giving rise to infection.
The stress, therefore, and the weakening of the immune system it causes are the main risk factors for colds in pregnancy.
At the same time, even the cold climate of the winter months is an additional risk factor that can favor the development of the disorder.
Contagion
How is the cold transmitted in pregnancy?
Cold viruses are transmitted very easily by air, through coughing, sneezing and droplets of saliva emitted by sick individuals. Even simple speech can promote the emission of the virus into the air favoring the infection.
Unfortunately, the viruses responsible for this cooling disease are able to survive in the external environment for a few hours, thus also favoring the indirect infection that occurs, for example, coming into contact with surfaces and / or objects contaminated by people with a cold.
Symptoms
What are the symptoms of a cold in pregnancy?
The cold in pregnancy - as well as the cold that can affect any person - causes localized inflammation especially in the nose and pharynx . The symptomatology of colds in pregnancy can be more or less intense and can vary from person to person. However, among the different symptoms that can occur, let us remember:
- Nasal congestion (stuffy nose);
- Rhinorrhea (runny nose);
- Headache;
- Temperature;
- Sore throat;
- Hoarseness;
- Sneezing;
- Dry cough or fat cough;
- Asthenia;
- Muscle and / or bone pains;
- Feeling of general malaise;
- Feeling of soreness;
- Chills;
- Poor appetite.
These symptoms can all present themselves, or only a few can occur. The type and intensity of the symptoms - in addition to varying from patient to patient - may also vary depending on the type of virus that gave rise to the cold in pregnancy.
Cold complications in pregnancy
Often and willingly, the viral infection causing cold in pregnancy becomes complicated with bacterial superinfections that can lead to a worsening of the symptoms and that can favor the onset of other disorders, such as otitis, bronchitis, sinusitis or bronchopneumonia. In such situations, it is essential to consult a doctor immediately.
Care
Cure and Treatments Against Cold in Pregnancy
In some cases, colds in pregnancy tend to resolve spontaneously. In fact, the common cold is generally considered to be a self-limiting disease that should disappear within about a week of the onset of the first symptoms.
Unfortunately, this does not always happen and, in some cases, it may be necessary to use drugs. In this regard, it is good to point out that there are no specific drugs for the treatment of colds (in fact, there are no specific antiviral drugs that can be used against this disorder), but the treatment of this cooling illness is only symptomatic. The situation, however, is complicated by pregnancy, as pregnant women can only take a very small number of medicines during this phase of their life. For this reason, the intervention of the doctor is fundamental and - in order to guarantee one's own safety and that of the unborn child - in no case can one rely on "do it yourself".
However, the drug of choice for the treatment of colds in pregnancy is paracetamol (Tachipirina®). In fact, it is an active ingredient considered safe both for pregnant women and newborns. Paracetamol is mainly used in the treatment of fever, as it has a marked antipyretic action . To this is added a mild pain-relieving action that could give relief in case of pain (for example, headache, muscle pain, etc.).
The use of other drugs useful to counteract the symptoms of colds - such as nasal and oral decongestants, anti-inflammatories and cough medications (expectorants or antitussives) - should only be done in cases of real need and only if the doctor prescribes them . In fact, some active ingredients cannot be used during gestation because of the side effects they can cause in the fetus; other active ingredients, on the other hand, can only be taken during certain periods of pregnancy (for example, after the first trimester); while others can only be used if the doctor considers it indispensable. For this reason - even if many of the aforementioned medicines are available for purchase without a prescription - when a cold occurs during pregnancy, it is reiterated the importance of contacting a doctor before taking any medication or product.
Treatment of Cold Cold Complications in Pregnancy
If the cold in pregnancy becomes complicated due to bacterial superinfections, the doctor may decide to prescribe antibiotic drugs, but only after having carried out a careful evaluation of the relationship between the potential risks to the fetus and the expected benefits for the mother.
Please note
Antibiotics are NOT drugs indicated for the treatment of colds in pregnancy and even less for colds that occur in children, men, non-pregnant women and the elderly. In fact, this cooling illness is caused by a viral infection and not by a bacterial infection. The use of antibiotic drugs in the absence of a bacterial superinfection would not only be useless, but could even favor the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance.
Therefore, the use of antibiotics against colds should only be carried out if there is absolute certainty that the patient has a bacterial infection.
Useful Tips
Useful Tips to Prevent Cold in Pregnancy
Following are some tips that might come in handy to try to prevent the onset of colds in pregnancy.
- Avoid direct contact with cooled individuals and avoid the mixed use of objects such as glasses, cutlery, etc.
- Maintain thorough hand hygiene by washing often, especially before meals.
- Avoid touching your nose and mouth with dirty hands, as these gestures may favor the entry of cold viruses into the body.
- Avoid staying outdoors too long when temperatures are very low.
- Avoid places that are too dry and, if necessary, use suitable humidifiers. In fact, in very dry environments, it seems that the droplets of saliva containing the cold viruses can remain suspended in the air longer, favoring the infection. Therefore, using a dehumidifier could be useful in preventing the onset of the disorder.
- Ventilate the house well, especially if you live with people who already have a cold.
- Avoid, as far as possible, the stress conditions that could favor the decrease of the immune defenses, allowing the cold viruses to give rise to the infection.
Useful tips to promote the healing of colds in pregnancy
To try to promote healing in case the cold in pregnancy has already occurred, it can be useful:
- Avoid sudden changes in temperature, especially when adequate protective clothing is not worn (for example, from the warm environment of the house to the outside without using coats, jackets, caps, etc.).
- Try to stay as much as possible at rest and warm.
- Maintain a good degree of hydration, take plenty of fluids and consume foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fruits and vegetables.
- Follow all the indications and any therapies prescribed by your doctor.
If the cold in pregnancy does not resolve despite the aforementioned recommendations and despite any treatments prescribed by the doctor, in order to avoid aggravation and complications, it is necessary to request the latter's advice again.
