Attention, pregnant women: not all flu drugs that are on the shelves of pharmacies are released for you. Understand!
As soon as the temperature drops, respiratory diseases come with everything! pregnant women they are just as likely as the entire population to get colds and the flu. But, once the pregnant woman has been contaminated, she is considered a risk group. “During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes a series of respiratory and immune system changes that make it more vulnerable to these diseases. Therefore, they tend to be a little more intense at this stage,” explains Carlos Moraes, gynecologist and obstetrician and member of Febrasgo (Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations).
The pregnant woman has less ability to expand the lung and recover from the condition, says Ana Paula Beck, gynecologist and obstetrician at the Albert Einstein Hospital. In these moments it is important differentiate between cases of flu and cold in pregnancy.
flu x cold
Despite having similar symptoms, such as stuffy nose, sneezing and headache, colds tend to be a simpler, less serious condition than the flu. It is usually caused by a rhinovirus, informs the Ministry of Health – and, unlike the flu, does not have a high fever.
In turn, flu during pregnancy is a risk factor for mother and baby. “Pregnant women with the flu are more hospitalized in intensive care. We see that in all these infections due to flu epidemics, pregnant women have been affected more severely,” Ana Pula points out. The picture is caused by the flu virus and the symptoms appear suddenly.
Can a pregnant woman take flu medicine?
In case of a mild cold, the expectant mother can take a symptomatic drug – that is, one that acts only to relieve pain and symptoms. “The most used is the paracetamol in a standard dose, 500 mg every 8 hours, up to three times a day”, explains obstetrician Carlos Moraes. It is important that the patient rests and is well hydrated during the treatment. “She can take simple medicines, such as the common analgesic or antipyretic, not those cold remedies that are usually sold in drugstores“says the gynecologist.
When you are diagnosed with the flu (from the flu virus), at the very beginning, antiviral drugs may be prescribed by your doctor. Interestingly, specific treatment, in any situation, should be recommended for the pregnant woman after evaluation by a specialist.
In addition, inhalation, nasal washes and drinking plenty of fluids are recommendations that help the patient improve. “Certain infusions can be taken, such as chamomile and fennel tea,” indicates Ana Paula.
How to avoid the flu during pregnancy
Flu prevention measures are similar to those taken during the Covid-19 pandemic, for example. Pregnant women can wear a mask in agglomerations, avoid closed environments and wash their hands. However, the most important thing is the annual vaccination. “It can be done during pregnancy. Whenever there is a campaign against the flu, we suggest that pregnant women get vaccinated,” completes Ana Paula.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
