Is it serious to catch a cold in early pregnancy?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on October 22, 2024
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In the early stages of pregnancy, if a pregnant woman catches a cold, it generally does not affect the fetus unless it is particularly severe, such as having a high fever. In day-to-day life, it is important to drink plenty of water, rest, avoid overexertion, enhance nutrition, and eat light, easily digestible foods. These measures can typically alleviate the condition on their own. However, if a cold occurs again and the symptoms are severe, such as high fever or intense coughing, it is necessary to seek timely treatment at a reputable hospital. During a cold, it is advised to avoid medication unless absolutely necessary, in which case medication should only be used under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Wu Xiao Sheng
Pulmonology
1min 3sec home-news-image

Can Banlangen treat a cold?

Banlangen belongs to the category of Chinese medicine. From the perspective of Chinese medicine, Banlangen has certain effects on treating the common cold, meaning it can be used to treat colds. For example, Banlan根 is most commonly used to treat colds, mainly treating wind-heat type colds, and its effectiveness for colds due to wind-cold or summer dampness is relatively poor or non-existent. However, from the perspective of modern medicine, the common cold is often caused by viral infections of the respiratory system, classified as acute upper respiratory infection, which can cause symptoms such as fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. Therefore, a combination of medications is used to improve the clinical symptoms of a cold. Common medications include compound paracetamol and amantadine, Mameimin tablets, etc. Banlangen is generally not used for treatment. (Please follow medical advice when using medication.)

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Written by Liao Bin
Pulmonology
1min 4sec home-news-image

Can you eat chestnuts during a cold?

During a cold, it is advisable to eat fewer chestnuts. Although chestnuts are rich in proteins, vitamins, and carbohydrates, and can provide the necessary substances for the body, especially high in carbohydrates, providing the body's energy, it is important to note that chestnuts are warm in nature. Eating too many during a cold can possibly induce symptoms of 'internal heat', leading even to sore throats, which is not conducive to alleviating the condition. Furthermore, during a cold, the patient’s digestive function generally declines, particularly in those with gastroenteric colds, who may also experience significant nausea, abdominal bloating and pain, diarrhea, etc. Consuming too many chestnuts at this time can potentially cause an increase in abdominal symptoms like bloating and nausea, which are not conducive to recovery and might worsen the patient's appetite. Therefore, during a cold, it is recommended to avoid spicy, stimulating, and hard-to-digest foods.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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How to treat a cold during pregnancy

If you have symptoms of a cold while pregnant, it is advised not to self-medicate blindly. Always consult a physician and use medications that are relatively safer to treat the condition so as to prevent any potential impact on the fetus. This is particularly important during the first three months of pregnancy when the baby's development is still not complete, and indiscriminate use of some medications could possibly cause developmental abnormalities in the baby. It is suggested that everyone should distinguish the type of cold they are experiencing, and then treat and alleviate symptoms through dietary therapy. For instance, for a cold caused by exposure to wind and chill, one might drink some brown sugar ginger tea or have a warm foot bath, both of which can expel the cold from the body, promote blood circulation, and relieve cold symptoms. If it's a cold caused by wind-heat, drinking herbal teas that clear heat and detoxify can be beneficial in alleviating the condition.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Quick remedy for children's cold and nasal congestion

Children experiencing nasal congestion due to a cold is mainly because of the congestion and swelling of the nasal mucosa, coupled with an increase in nasal secretions, which leads to the blockage. There isn't a specific effective treatment for children's nasal congestion like there is for adults in the ENT field, which uses medications that quickly shrink the nasal mucosa. These medications can have significant side effects for children, potentially affecting the nasal blood vessels and the normal state of the nasal mucosa. Therefore, if a child is experiencing nasal congestion, it is recommended to visit a hospital where the doctor can provide specific treatment according to the child's condition. Parents should not use adult decongestants on their children without professional advice.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Is it good for pregnant women to use moxibustion for a cold?

When pregnant women experience cold symptoms, they can use moxa fumigation. For example, if a woman has a cold, cough, or nasal congestion, moxibustion can be used to help relieve some symptoms. Moxa is purely herbal and harmless to the human body, and it has little effect on the baby. Moxa sticks can purify the air and sterilize, and clinically, they are mainly used to treat some chronic gynecological diseases. During pregnancy, moxa fumigation is possible, but it is not recommended to use moxibustion on the Hegu acupoint, as this point can easily cause uterine contractions. Additionally, try to avoid using moxa sticks on acupoints.