Can you catch a cold during pregnancy?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on November 16, 2024
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Pregnancy is a normal physiological state for women to nurture a fetus. During pregnancy, factors such as a decrease in immunity, catching a cold, or malnutrition can lead to viral infections, causing symptoms of a cold. Whether a pregnant woman catches a cold mainly depends on her physical constitution, that is, her immune and resistance capacities. Pregnant women with a cold should avoid the indiscriminate and excessive use of medications, especially antibiotics, antiviral drugs, and hormonal products. It is important to drink plenty of water, rest adequately, and if medication is necessary, it should be chosen under the guidance of a doctor. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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How to determine if a full moon baby has a cold

Generally, a one-month-old baby cannot express discomfort, so it is difficult to determine whether they have caught a cold. To judge if a baby has a cold, you need to observe if there are any changes in their usual behavior such as obvious spit-ups, decreased milk intake, increased sleep duration, deeper sleep, inconsolable crying or restlessness, labored breathing, nasal congestion, phlegm sounds in the throat, or frequent bubbles at the corners of the mouth. If the baby's breathing appears faster than usual, it likely indicates sickness. If parents notice their one-month-old is uncomfortable, it is imperative to promptly take the baby to a hospital for a thorough examination and treatment guidance from a specialist doctor.

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How many days has the cold caused a runny nose?

If you have a cold with a runny nose, it will generally recover within about seven days. Since this is just a common cold and it is self-limiting, there is no need for excessive worry. However, if the symptoms are more severe and include coughing, phlegm, and fever, it is important to take some anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medications along with symptomatic treatment to alleviate the symptoms. Recovery should also take about three to five days, and there is no need for excessive worry. Additionally, it is important to keep warm, avoid catching cold, eat a light diet, avoid spicy and greasy foods, cold and irritating foods, drink plenty of water to promote metabolism, and enhance your immunity. Do not stay up late and ensure sufficient sleep to help the illness recover faster. (Please follow the guidance of a professional physician when taking medication and avoid self-medication.)

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Is a baby more likely to catch a cold if they are deficient in zinc?

Babies with zinc deficiency are prone to catching colds, as zinc is an important trace element in the human body. When zinc is deficient, it significantly impacts the baby’s immune system, making them susceptible to catching colds, repeatedly suffering from respiratory infections, and experiencing a prolonged duration of illness. Zinc plays a critical physiological role in the growth and development of the human body, regulates the development of the immune system, and is crucial for sexual maturation. Besides causing repeated respiratory infections, zinc deficiency can also lead to stunted growth and development. Zinc-deficient babies are noticeably shorter and weigh less than their peers, potentially leading to poor appetite, anorexia, and even pica, a condition where children may crave non-food items like paper, soil, or coal slag. Zinc-deficient children are also prone to various types of dermatitis, such as mouth ulcers, glossitis, and various skin diseases. In severe cases of zinc deficiency, it can lead to delayed development of secondary sexual characteristics.

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What should I do if my cold doesn't get better?

The common cold generally follows a process. Eighty percent of common colds start as viral colds, characterized by nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and other catarrhal symptoms. Generally, after three to five days, these catarrhal symptoms gradually disappear, as the virus is self-limiting. If the symptoms do not improve after three to five days and are accompanied by coughing, purulent sputum, and fever, it may have progressed to a bacterial cold, which requires antibiotic treatment. When we commonly refer to a persistent cold, we mainly refer to a cough. Some people might experience a cold for more than ten days, or repeatedly suffer from a dry cough. At this time, it's not that their cold hasn't healed; rather, it's because the respiratory tract has been damaged and needs time to recover. Typically, this kind of irritating dry cough without sputum generally lasts for a while.

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Can pregnant women eat eggs when they have a cold?

When pregnant women catch a cold, it is acceptable to eat eggs; having a cold does not mean one must avoid eggs. However, due to the weakened gastrointestinal function in women during a cold, it is important to consume light foods and those that are easy to digest and absorb, such as fresh vegetables and fruits. Eggs are relatively easy to digest and are high in protein. Eating eggs during pregnancy, especially when sick, can help enhance the body's resistance. Additionally, it is important to drink plenty of water, rest, and consume fruits rich in Vitamin C or drink fresh fruit juices to supplement Vitamin C and boost the body's resistance. Generally, a cold is self-limiting and should resolve on its own within about a week.