colds and flu in pregnancy

[BPrincess]

Only this morning I was congratulating myself on getting this far without even a sniffle (I'm 23 weeks), but now I'm in bed with a temperature, feeling floppy and hot eyeballs. Sounds like a flu or bad cold coming on...

Any tips from those who've been here and done it? Paracetamol is ok to take isn't it? We're off on holiday a week today, so really want to be properly better by then.

I know it's not the end of the world, but feeling a bit sorry for myself. Encouragement/tips needed!

Thanks

I have been awful I'll with cold, cough and chest infection. I've still got it 2 weeks later!

Paracetemol. Is fine, have plenty of vitamin c too.

I found the only days I was recovering were those really resting at home off work. Recommend that!!

I had a cold a few weeks ago, and it took ages to shift...apparently, everything takes longer when you're pregnant because your immune system is compromised. I felt awful, at one point I thought I had the flu (fortunately, it wasn't).

Paracetamol is OK, and my advice would be to take it! I had a really bad sore throat, and the midwife said the only thing I can take for it is lemon and honey. I think I went through a whole pot of Manuka honey and a bag of lemons in a weekend! Try to get lots of sleep if you can, and make sure you drinks lots of fluids. And don't drag yourself into work if you don't feel up for it!

Hope you get better soon!

I read on a thread a few weeks back that some infant's cough syrups are safe to take. I asked a pharmacist and she pointed me to one that was just glycerol syrup and which she said was fine to use. Thank goodness because my throat was so sore and cough driving me mad!

(But check with pharmacist first!)

Get well soon!

Ask for simple linctus cough sYrup got free on prescription too! Hallls soothers r ok too x

I'm just starting to get over a rotten head cold that turned into a slightly flu-y (had temperature) chesty/tickly cough. It's taken a week and three days to start feeling better, so it definitely feels like my immune system is a bit slow. Oh - and I got a horrible cold sore on Monday as well, but I've managed to keep that at bay.

Just as I was feeling smug about not catching anything for ages, too!

I'm convinced I picked it up off the hospital when I went for my 21 week scan. Loads of people around me were ill, sneezing into their hands without washing them, then touching door handles. Or drinking from water bottles and then re-filling them at the machine provided, but allowing the bottle to touch the spout - it was really minging. I washed my hands loads and used the gels provided but I still came down with something within a day or so. Drats.

Anyhow I've got through it with simple linctus, Olbas inhaler, paracetamol and hot ginger/honey/lemon. I would have loved to have some proper decongestant drugs but they're a not allowed.

My advice is to stay home and away from everyone, it's the best way to stay healthy!

I'm the same!!! 35 weeks today and apart from pregnancy malaise I was doing well avoiding the bugs going around....then got this ches/ear/throat thing and now have a stonking cold sore and a mouth full of ulcers just to add to my general attractiveness!!! Saw my doc cos breathing was so sore the other night and he just said that all symptoms are basically exacerbated by being pg (squished lungs, compromised immunity, unable to swig nightnurse etc) and said rest, fluids and paracetamol.....hope you feel better soon!x

I'm also off sick with sore throat and cold.

I've found dissolving the honey in milk rather than hot lemon has a longer lasting and more soothing effect. Also DP bought ice-cream yesterday. Really nice treat, and soothing too.

Any othertips out there? You should have seen my face when the pharmacist said no strepsils! Grrrr

Just the same as the others really -- paracetamol, honey and lemon, Tunes or Halls Soothers are fine.

Also, and I know this sounds daft, but don't blow your nose. Just dab it or blow it gently. Some cold/flu experts think that blowing your nose can send the bacteria into the sinuses and make things worse. The past couple of times I've had a bad cold, the runny nose has cleared up within a couple of days.

you can suck on strepsils, they are fine. if you are still in your second trimester you can also use ibuprofen, but check with dr or pharmacy. for your blocked nose it is ok to use otriven or similar before going to bed so that you can sleep. just one spray in one nostril.

"disclaimer - I was given this advice in germany and not in the uk -"

I was told no to strepsils I suppose they may just being careful.

Nomoreheels....did u keep taking simple linctus...I only take it every now and then but I wonder if I should be taking it the 3 allowed times a day. It's my chest that is a pain...cannot get the yukky stuff off my chest.

On the upside...I've felt a bit more energetic and whether it today...but still full of lurgy. Maybe there is a bloom behind all this (wishful thinking) xx

Hi. I was prescribed it by a GP so took it as per the directions - same as what you quoted. It's just sugar syrup anyhow, isn't it? (I think?)

Finally starting to feel better today. Hope everyone else recovers soon too.

Hi - my doc prescribed me amoxcillyn (not that they've worked) - has no one else been given antibotics? That's a worry!!

yes, but for a uti.
amoxicilyn is fine. if it doesn't work after 48hrs, go back to the gp because you need a different ab.

Gonnabe I have been on double dose of amoxcillyn for 2 weeks now for my chest - its done nothing. They wouldnt put me on another type of antibiotics because of the baby - anyone been given any better ones?

I had already told them I have had a chest infection before which amox did not help..would they listen..no! So now Ifeel guilty for having such a high dose for so long.

yes, there are other abs available. you need to go back to the gp and pester him/her.

I'm on my 2nd cold already and I'm only 18 weeks. Fed up now but I guess that's the price for being pg with small children! I'm only taking paracetamol but I could do with a bit more rest.

Gonnabe - in my last pg I had about 7 different types of ABs, for a sinus infection at 20 weeks then an ongoing chest infection that would not shift in the last couple of months. I also had co-codamol, codeine, inhaler, eye cream for conjunctivitis, and I'm sure there was more. All you can do is take the advice of the medical professionals. They won't prescribe you stuff if they don't feel it is necessary.

I got the flu on Christmas Eve at 13 weeks and found that I really needed to give into sleep, sleep, sleep and not try to be semi-active as I usually am while sick. Drinking even more liquids is good too, although it means frequent bathroom trips!
Get well soon!

OP - I had an awful cold/flu thing which ended up with pulled muscles due to a stupid cough - lasted 6 weeks - all over Christmas and ended up being mute from Laryngitus for a week!

Anyhow - if you have bad cough and sore throat, the best thing I did was steam! Filled bowl with bowling water, stick head over and then chuck a towel on and breathe for as long as you can cope, or until there's no more steam. I only discovered this towards the end - but was really good at kind of loosening all the muck.

Poor you

Olbas oil pastilles are safe to take when pregnant and help unblocking your nose etc.

Oh you poor things. You have my sympathy. DD (2 years old and not exactly stoical!) and I have spent the day on the sofa, under the duvet.

Ice lollies (the pure orange juice ones) are really soothing and I've been using Vicks on my chest (assume that's okay as you can give it to little ones). I'm on four hourly doses of paracetamol and DH (after I read this thread) has promised to go to the Boots at Liverpool St on his way home to get me baby cough syrup and at least four packets of Soothers!)

It's miserable, isn't it?And I know that DD will be right as rain tomorrow, and I'll still be whinging and wilting!