This article will discuss how to treat throat infections during pregnancy.
During this period, the main task of women is to maintain their own health. Any pathology can have negative consequences for the development of the unborn child. However, quite often a woman gets a sore throat or a cold during pregnancy. When treating a throat, special care should be taken. Even the most seemingly harmless drug can cause serious harm to the developing fetus. Below we consider the methods of treating the throat during pregnancy in the early and late stages.
Causes of Sore Throat
As a rule, the factor for the appearance of such a symptom is the inflammatory processes that are provoked by bacteria or viruses. In this case, we are talking about the following diseases:
1. Angina.
2. Tonsillitis in chronic form during an exacerbation.
3. Laryngitis or pharyngitis and other diseases of the ENT organs.
What are the symptoms associated with?
Sore throat with the above diseases is accompanied by symptoms such as fever, irritability, cough and sore throat, etc. It is very important for a woman to carefully monitor her condition and note any signs of a cold and changes in well-being. Treatment of a sore throat during pregnancy should be timely.
Allergic reaction
Sore throat can occur as a result of an allergic reaction. It should be borne in mind that even if a woman is not allergic, this option is possible, since pregnancy acts as a provoking factor. An allergic reaction is usually accompanied by sneezing, nasal congestion, skin rashes and lacrimation.
Other reasons
Other causes that can provoke sore throat outside the common cold are overdrying or damage to the mucous membrane due to exposure to negative environmental factors. In this case, there are no concomitant symptoms.
Regardless of the cause of the sore throat in a pregnant woman, the necessary treatment is necessary. An allergy, like an infection, can harm an unborn baby, and an overdried mucous membrane will cause discomfort to the woman herself.
How to treat the common cold and throat during pregnancy?
General recommendations
The choice of treatment for the throat during the period of bearing the child depends on the disease that caused the problem. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to establish the correct diagnosis and cure the cause of sore throat, while eliminating the symptoms.
During pregnancy, you can use some drugs, as well as various home remedies. Before taking any medicine, you should consult a physician and carefully read the instructions for contraindications. Some drugs can only be used starting from the second trimester. It should be borne in mind that home treatment for throat during pregnancy will require caution. Not all folk remedies are harmless and safe.
First trimester treatment
If a sore throat occurs during the first trimester, it is necessary to eliminate this symptom as quickly as possible. The beginning of pregnancy is an important stage in the formation of the fetus, its ripening and growth, the development of various organs and systems. That is why the correct treatment of the throat during pregnancy in the 1st trimester is so important. Almost all drugs are prohibited for use during this period.
If the throat begins to hurt at such an early stage, you should carefully select the drugs and give preference to natural formulations that will not harm the child:
1. "Aqualor throat." Spray based on sea water, the composition lacks additives and preservatives, which makes it safe for use by a pregnant woman at any time. You can use "Aqualor" for sore throats of both an infectious and allergic nature. So it can be used safely in the treatment of throat during pregnancy in the 1st trimester.
2. "Miramistin." This drug is not classified as natural, but is also approved for use during pregnancy. It has an antiseptic effect, helping to relieve pain and eliminate the infection of the larynx and pharynx, which is accompanied by soreness.
3. It is undesirable to take home remedies for relieving sore throat uncontrollably. It is impossible to predict how the body of the future mother will react to a particular substance. The only remedy that is guaranteed to do no harm is the resorption of a piece of butter. This method will help relieve pain and soften the mucosa, removing the sore throat.
Second trimester pregnancy throat treatment
In the second trimester of pregnancy, all of the above drugs are still allowed. The formation of the main organs and systems of the child has already been completed, so the list is supplemented by other means.
You can use drugs in various forms of release, from lollipops to sprays and rinse solutions. The most popular drugs are:
1. "Lizobakt." Produced in the form of lozenges. The composition of the drug includes pyridoxine and lysozyme. Pills help restore the mucous membrane of the larynx, relieve pain and eliminate perspiration. Is it acceptable to take the drug every two hours to treat throat and cough during pregnancy?
2. "Grammidin." Contains an antiseptic. It is prescribed for diseases of the throat, accompanied by an inflammatory process and provoked by bacteria and viruses.
3. "Tantum Verde." It is used for irrigation of the throat in the treatment of the throat during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester, has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. The solution is ready to use, you do not need to dilute it with water.
If you do not want to take medicine, you can resort to various folk recipes. These can be rinses on natural herbs with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects.
One of the very effective and safe means is a mixture of lemon juice with honey. You can apply the mixture both as a rinse and inside. Another important recommendation for a sore throat is drinking plenty of fluids.
Treatment of the throat during pregnancy at a later date is presented below.
Third trimester therapy
The final months of pregnancy are the safest for the treatment of colds. However, it is not worth taking drugs uncontrollably. It should be borne in mind that some drugs can cause premature birth.
The safest way to treat throat during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester is to take medications that are allowed at an earlier stage of gestation. You can also use lugol. It is made in the form of a solution for lubricating the mucous membrane of the throat and spray.
In the third trimester, it is permissible to use any folk remedies, rinses are especially recommended, which will be described in detail below.
What else is used to treat throat during pregnancy?
Gargling
There are a number of means with which you can gargle at any time. These include:
1. "Chlorophyllipt." Contains eucalyptus leaves, which actively eliminate staphylococci, provoking tonsillitis, pharyngitis and rhinitis. It is produced in the form of an alcohol solution, which is diluted with water in a proportion of 1:10. Rinses are carried out every 3-4 hours.
2. "Chlorhexidine." The drug has a bitter taste. It is not absorbed by the mucosa, which makes it absolutely safe for pregnant women. The drug is not diluted, but is used to rinse in pure form. The disadvantage of Chlorhexidine is the possibility of darkening of tooth enamel.
3. Furacilin. It has an effect similar to antibacterial drugs, but is not an antibiotic. Do not allow swallowing the solution and use furatsilin too long, as this can cause the development of an allergic reaction.
4. "Miramistin." It can also be used for rinsing. The drug has a detrimental effect on infectious agents. It is applied undiluted.
5. Sage. Its decoction cannot be taken orally during pregnancy, as it can cause uterine contractions. But for rinsing, it is harmless to the body of the woman and the fetus.
6. Chamomile. Plant flowers relieve inflammation and soften the throat. Gargle should be filtered broth. You can add lemon juice to it. It helps with angina.
7. Soda. Generally used in combination with salt. It is a safe means for disinfecting the larynx.
Prevention
Preventing the disease is much easier than curing it. This is especially true for a pregnant woman. It is very important to follow certain preventive measures, especially if the patient has a history of chronic inflammatory diseases of the throat. The main preventive measures include:
1. If possible, try to avoid hypothermia of the body, not only general, but also local in nature. The latter concerns the use of cold drinks and ice cream. This can trigger the activation of the harmful flora that lives on the mucous membranes.
2. Foci of chronic infections should be eliminated immediately. This applies to dental caries, tonsillitis in a chronic form, etc. This is best done at the stage of pregnancy planning.
3. Support for the body's defense system. For this purpose, you can take special complexes of vitamins for pregnant women, adhere to a balanced diet, regularly take walks and try to avoid stressful situations.
4. Monitor oral hygiene, regularly gargle for preventive purposes. It is especially important to observe safety measures after visiting public places.
5. The main preventive measure is the lack of contact with sick infections. It is from them that it is easiest to get infected.
If pain does occur, treatment should begin as soon as possible. However, you can not take any medications without consulting your doctor, as this can lead to serious pregnancy complications.
Pregnancy Treatment Limitations
There are a number of restrictions, rules that can not be violated during pregnancy. During the period of bearing a child, it is prohibited:
1. Take drugs on their own and uncontrolled. Any antibiotic taken without a doctor's prescription can seriously harm an unborn baby. Such drugs should be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account contraindications and possible risks.
2. Use several drugs at the same time. If the remedy prescribed by the doctor does not help, you need to contact a specialist again and get advice on replacing one medication with another.
3. Physiotherapeutic procedures in the treatment of throat infections during pregnancy are contraindicated. Even if you have any devices at home, such as a quartz lamp, you should wait with it before using your baby.
Observance of the described preventive measures and restrictions will make it possible to quickly and effectively cope with such a problem as a sore throat, even if it occurred during pregnancy.