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Cold comfort
Of all the things that can slow you down when you’re pregnant, few can be more miserable than having a cold or the flu. Most mothers are uneasy about taking any medicines when they’re expecting and, as we all know, there’s nothing your doctor can give you to ‘cure’ a cold or flu.
Antibiotics aren’t an effective treatment because colds and flu are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections. Also, there is a question mark over using antibiotics in pregnancy since it has been associated with a higher rate of low-birth-weight babies.
Equally frustrating is the fact that most cold remedies simply don’t work all that well. That was the conclusion of one of the largest scientific reviews of over the counter cold remedies, covering more than 40 years research. There is also the largely unanswered question of the safety of antihistamines and decongestants in pregnancy. Even if such medications do not harm your baby, they can make you feel pretty awful. No fewer than 97 side effects have been ascribed to antihistamines, including constipation, blurred vision, and the inability to urinate. And as many as 30 per cent of decongestant users experience side effects such as raised pulse rate and blood pressure, palpitations, dizziness and fatigue.
What can you do to relieve the symptoms of a cold or flu safely?
The good news is that colds and flu are self-limiting illnesses. This means that they run their course fairly quickly whether you take medications or not.
Interestingly, while the symptoms of cold or flu can be uncomfortable and unpleasant, they are also signs that your own immune system is functioning well. Fever is a good example. Viruses are sensitive to heat. A raised temperature stops the virus from spreading and causes the release of natural antiviral chemicals.
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