Pregnancy - what an incredible and precious journey! However, as you enjoy the excitement of waiting on your bundle of joy, the reality is that during this delicate time, your body goes through significant changes to aid your baby’s development. These changes include suppressing your immune system, which can make you more susceptible to contracting colds and flu and more vulnerable to developing serious complications.
Add to this that certain medications are not safe to take while pregnant, making finding relief from cold and flu-like symptoms during pregnancy, difficult. While managing the symptoms of colds and flu when you’re expecting can be challenging, you needn’t worry because Dis-Chem is here to help with some valuable tips on how to cope with these symptoms and ensure a smoother experience. So let's explore how to effectively manage cold and flu symptoms during pregnancy to help you maintain the health and well-being of both you and your baby.
The Causes and Impact of Colds and Flu
Colds and flu are caused by viral infections that affect the respiratory system. These viruses can be easily transmitted through coughing, sneezing, contact with contaminated surfaces or close contact with infected individuals. As pregnancy can make you more susceptible to infections like colds and flu due to a suppressed immune system, taking care of yourself becomes even more critical when you're pregnant to prevent illness.
Whether or not you’re expecting, the cold or flu symptoms you’ll experience will be the same. These symptoms can include:
- Nasal congestion
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Mild body aches
- Low-grade fever
Recognising and monitoring these symptoms is essential for the health of both you and your baby, especially if you experience a fever, as high temperatures can pose serious risks to your developing baby. Make sure you contact your healthcare provider if you have a fever or if your symptoms worsen.
Once you experience any flu or cold-like symptoms during pregnancy, it's essential to minimise their impact on your well-being and the health of your unborn baby. To help you manage your flu or cold symptoms naturally and promote a healthier pregnancy, here are some tips you can try.
Self-Care Measures to Manage Cold and Flu Symptoms
While seeking professional advice to ensure your symptoms are properly managed is crucial, there are some self-care measures you can take to find relief from flu and cold symptoms during pregnancy:
- Rest and Hydration: Getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated are key to combating cold and flu symptoms. So ensure you're getting enough rest and sleep and drink plenty of fluids like water, herbal teas and clear broths to keep your body hydrated and support your immune system.
- Nasal Congestion Relief: Nasal congestion is a common symptom of colds and flu. To alleviate congestion, consider using a saline nasal spray or trying steam inhalation. To use steam inhalation, fill a bowl with hot water, place a towel over your head and inhale the steam. These methods will help clear your sinuses and provide relief.
- Warm Saltwater Gargles: A sore throat can accompany colds and flu. To help soothe your throat and reduce discomfort, gargle with warm saltwater. Mix a teaspoon of salt in warm water and gargle several times a day.
- Honey and Lemon: Soothe your throat and boost your immune system the sweet way by drinking a mix of honey, lemon and warm water. You can also add honey and lemon to your herbal teas to boost their benefits. These natural ingredients can help alleviate coughing and provide a dose of Vitamin C.
- Get Expert Help: If your symptoms persist or worsen, it's crucial to consult your healthcare provider. They can provide appropriate guidance and recommend over-the-counter medications that are safe to take during pregnancy or advise if you should take the flu vaccination.
Speaking of OTC medications and flu vaccinations, when it comes to managing flu and cold symptoms during pregnancy, it's important to exercise caution when finding solutions, especially as some medications aren’t safe to take during pregnancy. Therefore, make sure you consult your healthcare provider before trying any medications or remedies.
At Dis-Chem, we offer a wide range of effective cough, cold and flu medications to help you manage your symptoms when you’re expecting. So shop with us online or in-store today and explore our selection which includes everything you might need to effectively tackle cold and flu symptoms. From soothing cough drops and effective nasal sprays to quality humidifiers and fast-acting herbal remedies, find it all by shopping at a Dis-Chem store near you or online today. You can even visit us and get your flu vaccination done safely and conveniently. Get in touch with us and book your flu vaccination today.
Remember, each pregnancy is wonderfully unique so it's important to consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice. They can guide you through managing your cold and flu symptoms effectively while ensuring the health and safety of both you and your baby.
By monitoring your symptoms, seeking professional medical advice and using quality products, you can take on cold and flu symptoms during pregnancy with confidence. So visit Dis-Chem, consult our expert pharmacists and rest assured you are taking the best steps to protect the well-being of you and your baby. Wishing you a healthy and joyful pregnancy!
