Help, trying to treat a cold/flu when pregnant.

issytex12 · September 2014

Im now 14 weeks and have had hyperemesis which thankfully now is wearing off!! But have come down with a cold or flu which started last week and went away for a few days then came back! Am anxious as caught CMV In my last pregnncy which lead to NND and the symptoms for that are the same as for cold and flu. Anyone know how to treat a cold when pregnant? Feeling rotten!!!

rm2013 · September 2014

Ask your OB what you can take for your symptoms. There's not much though. And since you're not sure if it's a cold or the flu I'd guess it's just a cold. If that's the case you dodged that bullet and hope you feel better. And make sure you get a flu shot!

Non- medicinally I'd take Vit D3, drink lots of OJ and get some rest. I had a terrible cold (it was so bad we were wondering if it was that enterovirus) a few weeks ago and that's all I did. If you have nasal congestion then doing the Neil Med Nasal Flo rinse kit really helps.

rm2013 · September 2014

And what the heck is CMV and NND?

issytex12 · September 2014

Thankyou @rm2013‌ ! Im in the UK so id have to figure out what we have thats similar but i stock up on the OJ in the morning!

issytex12 · September 2014

@rm2013‌ CMV Is a really nasty infection that the mother can catch which presents as cold and flu symptoms in adults once you've had it you usually cant get it again but I'm still paranoid. It can cause disabilities like deafness and blindness in the foetus but i caught a particularly nasty strain last time which caused lesions on my baby's brain and lungs so he couldn't breathe when he was born. He only lived for 44 mins. Its bad as doctors don't advertise it especially well and pregnant women are really vulnerable to it. I think i caught it from my daughter as its caught through contact with other people? Theres no vaccine yet

rm2013 · September 2014

Im so sorry that happened with your son. definitely talk to your doctor first and get checked out.

cygnet15 · September 2014

@issytex12, I'm so sorry for your previous loss. I didn't know anything about CMV, but I'm attaching a link to some info below for any who are curious (I'm sure you yourself know much more about it).

Certainly you should see your doctor right away to be sure of what's going on and to ease your own mind. However, what I gathered from reading this is that transmission of CMV to the fetus is less common in 2nd+ pregnancies, and that cold symptoms, despite the trauma of your own experience, are unlikely to be related to CMV. So don't stress until you can see your doctor. My favorite non-medicinal cold remedies are nasal irrigation, breathing steam from a bowl of hot water, and eating chicken soup (psychological relief counts!) I hope it's nothing and you feel better soon.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cmv/basics/definition/con-20029514

JCWhitey · September 2014

I am just getting over a cold now and it was horrible and unfortunately not much I was able to take for it. Lots of OJ, made sure to take my vitamins, rested a lot. The only thing medicine wise that I took was my inhaler when I stopped being able to breath. But only took it a couple of time. Tea helped me a lot with the coughing and sore throat. Tylenol helped break the fever when I had one. Otherwise it was a lot of resting and feeling horrible.

LynnBrown4 · September 2014

Sorry to hear you're feeling rotten. For blocked sinuses/congestion, the Nettie Pot worked amazingly well for me. Good luck!

danielle2583 · September 2014

I *think* you can take Echinacea withOUT Goldenseal added. I'm getting over a cold and I've just been taking two packets of Emergen-C a day. No idea if it's helping but it makes me feel better knowing I'm doing something to help.

Obviously ask your Dr. first though

hweise85 · September 2014

I've had a cold for the last week and a stomach virus last weekend, all I really did was just lay around the house, watched movies, drank juice with a lot of vitamin C, take hot showers, eat hot soup and I ended up having to take Immodium AD.
Not much you can really do, I know that there are some meds you can take, but I'm opting to not take any if I can help it.

wishiwaspreggo · September 2014

I had a horrible cold a week ago. I just got lots of rest and drank a lot of water. You shouldn't take any medicines really... they don't help anyway. Letting the symptoms go helps you get better faster. When you sneeze and cough you're getting rid of the crud that made you sick in the first place. I don't know much about CMV but I hope you don't have it again! Sorry for your loss

If you're concerned I'd contact your doctor. Hope you feel better soon!

asouza100 · September 2014

I had a nasty cold around 9 or 10 weeks, the doctor said Coricidin HBP was a safe OTC med to take for cold symptoms. I also found that using a humidifier in my bedroom at night, was a lifesaver, I bought a Vicks humidifier that you could pour liquid vicks into, which also helped. Other than that, I second the OJ, and just try to stay hydrated. Of course, I would maybe double check with you doctor before going with the meds, in case you have other medical things going on, but all of the OBs at the clinic I go to approve coricidin HBP. Hope you feel better!

krstinoe1012 · September 2014

I had an awful cold/flu when I was about 12 weeks. They told me I could take robitussin DM for 2-3 days and tylenol. It didnt go away - turned out I had an upper respiratory infection so they ended up putting me on anti-biotics.

lisap0924 · September 2014

I'm going to follow this thread. I feel like I may be coming down with something. I will call my dr in a couple days if I'm not better

Anne Mommy · September 2014

If it lasts more than 2 wks it might be bacteria not a virus. In that case maybe a Rx for antibiotic like penicillin.
Til then, Nettie pot or other sinus rinse. It feels strange but then wonderful. Humidifier. Vicks. If you don't like the smell put it on your feet and socks over. Of course fluids and rest.

issytex12 · September 2014

Thanks everyone!bits so frustrting we cant take normal medicines bu its for the best of course

OH Is down with it too luckily our 2 year old is getting over it now! @cygnet15‌ thankyyou for the link i really dont know too much about it even now, i know its unlikely to happen in another pregnancy i just cant help but have that paranoia

i stocked up on orange juice yesterday and am trying to rest as much as possible with a 2 year old!

mstar333 · September 2014

Look into Oscillococcinum to be taken at the first sign of flu. It's homeopathic (and pregnancy safe!) so some people don't believe it can work, but I swear by it!! I was coming down with flu-like symptoms last weeks- fever, chills, aches and pains, and a terrible headache. I took one dose and the fever broke in a couple hours and none of the symptoms have returned since! I've had similar experiences before pregnancy- but this time it was like magic! Look it up!!

caro5931 · September 2014

I swear by Emergen-C! Whenever I feel something coming on or have a little cold I take it and it def works for me! Check with your doc first, but mine said it was fine for me