Cold and flu during pregnancy - How to prevent? 

Your normal routine stops when you are ailing and nobody likes being sick especially when you are pregnant. There is a lot going in your mind and body and all those changes tend to make your immunity weaker. If a person sitting next to you sneezes or coughs while communicating with you, you may easily catch infection due to your low immunity during pregnancy. Influenza is contagious and you may have a running nose and sore throat just by coming in touch with a person who is already infected be it directly or indirectly. The virus that spreads flu can be on the things that are commonly touched by everyone for instance- handles of the doors and drawers, phones, furniture pieces, or if you are hugging or kissing an infected person.

Symptoms and signs of flu during pregnancy can last up to 2 weeks and that is as follows:

• Sore throat

• High fever

• Sore muscles

• Headache

• Shivering

• Weakness and fatigue

• Sneezing

• Loss of appetite

• Diarrhea/Vomiting

As per the experts, influenza can adversely affect both would-be mothers and the unborn child. The weaker immune system may also lead to pneumonia and might infect the lungs and heart of the pregnant lady. If you have a high fever in the first trimester it may sometimes lead to preterm labor or miscarriage. If you know that in the changing weather you get infected easily or unfortunately you got flu from an infected person then you must immediately seek medical help. Your doctor may prescribe you a week’s course of antibiotics based on your symptoms. He/ she will also recommend you to eat healthy, increase your intake of fluids like warm water, warm milk, etc. If you will take adequate rest and have smaller frequent meals then you might recover faster. If you are not comfortable taking antibiotics then you may also opt for homeopathic or ayurvedic medicines. To avoid getting any complications during pregnancy it is advisable for you to avoid self-medication. Intake of antibiotics will take its due course of time to heal and treat you, to feel better you can try these important tips also:

• Increase your intake of fluids- golden milk, warm water, kadhah, herbal tea, soup, etc.

• Get adequate sleep

• Include Vitamin-C rich foods like capsicum, guava, lentils, and spinach that will help you fight better with the infection

• Gargling with warm salted water may provide relief to your sore throat

• Taking steam can bring relief to your stuffy/running nose

• A decoction of honey, basil leaves, lemon, and ginger can do wonders

• You must regularly wash your hands

• Be extra careful during changing seasons

• Avoid direct contact with infected people

• Stay away from crowded places