Cold comfort

• The value of rest cannot be overstated. When you are resting, your body releases potent immune enhancing compounds and many immune functions are greatly increased.
• Taking in additional fluids also brings benefits. For instance, staying hydrated helps to keep the mucous membranes that line your nose moist. Dry membranes are much more hospitable to viruses; keeping them moist helps to fight off viral attacks.

Highly sugared drinks (even though they give you an energy boost) will reduce your body’s ability to fight off infection. There is evidence that ingesting just 100 grams of sugar (about 2/3 the average adult’s daily intake) in the form of glucose, fructose, sucrose, honey or orange juice from concentrate can reduce your immune system’s ability to function by as much as 50 per cent. This effect can last for up to five hours.

Vitamin and mineral supplements will also boost your immune system

For instance, taking 1000mg of vitamin C each day has been shown to boost immune function. There is also some evidence that pregnancy increases a woman’s demand for zinc. Pregnant women need around 20 mg daily of zinc.

While there are limits on the number and type of herbs you can safely take during pregnancy, some can be taken safely to boost immunity. Of all the germ fighting herbs, Echinacea is the most widely studied and has consistently been shown to strengthen the immune system and fight viral, bacterial and fungal infections.

Echinacea can be found in health food stores in many different forms. However, Echinacea angustofolia is the type considered by herbalists to be the most effective (many commercial brands use another type, echinacea purpurea). Taking 2-4ml of tincture in a little water three times daily has no known adverse effects for pregnant women. But, like all immune stimulating herbs, it is most effective when used as needed and not as a general daily tonic.