Are you getting colds and coughs more often now that you are pregnant? There is a reason to that during pregnancy your immune system weakens and you become more susceptible to colds, coughs, flu and the likes. Being sick can worry you about the baby’s health much more than you worry about your own.
So, take care ladies, take extra care, sleep well, drink plenty of liquids, and eat healthy. Chest infections are common after cold and cough if you do not take proper care. Here we will know all about Chest infection in pregnancy – what are the causes, symptoms, treatment, and what you can do to prevent it during pregnancy.
What Is A Chest Infection?
Lung infection that causes breathing difficulties, cough, and fever is likely to be a chest infection during pregnancy. During pregnancy, women are more susceptible to lung infection because of a weak immune system. Some of the common lung infection includes –
Bronchitis
This form of infection occurs in the larger airways caused due to bacteria and viruses. Some of the common symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. If it occurs due to bacterial infection, doctors may suggest antibiotics.
Pneumonia
An infection in smaller air sacs (alveoli), can complicate your pregnancy. Some common symptoms of pneumonia include flu, cold, sore throat, grey-bluish lips/nails, headache, and body aches. If not treated at the right time, it may lead to low birth weight and premature birth (1).
Tuberculosis
This is a disease condition that raises blood pressure during pregnancy. Some of the common symptoms included breathing shortness, headache, nausea, vomiting, and swelling (2).
What Causes Chest Infection In Pregnancy?
Chest infection in pregnancy can occur due to several conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia and sinusitis. Some common causes that make you prone to contract chest infections are:
- Proximity with someone who has an infection
- If you have been smoking, you can be prone to bronchitis
- Sharing personal things with someone who has been infected
- Sharing utensils and food with an infected person
- Immune system suppression during pregnancy to support the growing fetus inside the women make it difficult to fight with infectious agents.
- The growing fetus inside the womb reduces the lung oxygen carrying capacity, which results in breathing difficulties.
- Exposure to flu and respiratory viruses such as RSV may result in chest infection (3).
- Bacterial infection in women during pregnancy is common which may also result in pneumonia (4).
Bronchitis During Pregnancy
Bronchitis is inflammation of the large airways that carry air to your lungs. The main cause is viruses – influenza virus, rhinovirus, and others (5). You can catch a viral infection by contacting someone who is having an infection. Other causes include tobacco smoke, air pollution, and inhaling chemicals. The small particles can cause inflammation and irritate the mucous membrane. If you have bad hygiene practices you may get it very easily.
What Are The Symptoms Of Bronchitis In Pregnancy?
The following are the symptoms which you are likely to feel when you have bronchitis:
- Cough is the number one symptom
- Blocked nose
- Mild fever
- Coughing yellow or green phlegm
- Feeling tired
- Shortness of breath
How Is Bronchitis During Pregnancy Diagnosed?
Bronchitis can be diagnosed by your doctor by making a physical examination and asking some questions about your symptoms like how long you have been coughing and what is the color of the phlegm. He may listen to your chest to know if you are wheezing. The x-ray and other tests are usually not required to diagnose bronchitis. However, in some cases the doctor may suggest the chest x-ray, or phlegm test (6).
How Can Bronchitis Be Treated In Pregnancy?
Some over the counter medicines to relieve the symptoms of bronchitis may be harmful to use during pregnancy. The best approach to heal yourself should be to:
- Support your immune system by taking plenty of rest
- Keep yourself hydrated by taking fluids like water, soups, juices
- Take steam to help blocked nose and to loosen the mucus
However, please see a doctor if your symptoms are not improving by these measures.
Pneumonia During Pregnancy
Pneumonia is inflammation of lungs, it can be in one lung or both lungs. The alveoli gets filled up with fluid. It makes it harder to breathe. Pneumonia is a serious condition and requires treatment with antibiotics. Mostly it is caused by the bacteria sometimes by a virus and rarely by fungi. The most common bacteria which causes pneumonia is called Streptococcus pneumonia. People who have weak immune system or those who smoke are more likely to get the infection.
What Are The Symptoms Of Pneumonia In Pregnancy?
It is better to go to the doctor for the diagnosis if you suspect that you have pneumonia. The common symptoms include:
- Cough, sometimes coughing thick, creamy mucus or blood
- Fever and chills
- Dyspnea(Shortness of breath)
- Rapid heartbeat
- Pain in the muscles
- Chest tightness or pain
- Wheezing
- Sometimes nausea and vomiting
How Is Pneumonia During Pregnancy Diagnosed?
Your doctor will listen to your symptoms and also listen to your lungs with a stethoscope to know if there is any fluid or rattling or crackling sound. The doctor may suggest the sputum test or chest x ray to confirm the condition. A chest x ray normally confirms it.
How Can Pneumonia Be Treated In Pregnancy?
Antibiotics, which are safe to use in pregnancy, will treat bacterial pneumonia. Your doctor may prescribe them.
Tuberculosis During Pregnancy
Caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, TB during pregnancy can either be active or inactive (7). If your body can make a defensive system to keep the bacteria from spreading, though still being there, it is known as inactive TB. Though, if your immune system weakens the bacteria can spread, yet it may take some good time, or never happen. If the infection spreads to the lungs and other parts of the body, it is known as active TB which can be of concern during pregnancy.
What Are The Symptoms Of Tuberculosis In Pregnancy?
Below are some of the common symptoms of Tuberculosis observed:
- Consistent and persistent cough, that involves phlegm and may even be bloody
- Cough that lasts for three weeks or more
- Fever, fatigue, weight loss, and weakness – which are also common during pregnancy
- Loss of appetite and nausea
- Chest pains
How Is Tuberculosis During Pregnancy Diagnosed?
A sputum test involving checking the phlegm for the TB bacteria is generally prescribed if you have been coughing for three weeks or more. The test is done in two sittings and may be followed by a chest X-ray or other blood tests. Do not be wary of getting an X-ray done, as the effect of untreated TB can be harmful than the effect of the X-ray.
How Can Tuberculosis Be Treated In Pregnancy?
The bacterial nature of infection makes it treatable with antibiotics. Early detection and proper medicine can cure TB fully, and taking medicines as prescribed is a huge must. You might start to feel better after a few weeks, but the bacteria would be alive and the infection can occur again, hence it is a must to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor.
How Can I Prevent Chest Infections During Pregnancy?
Yes, we can take several measures to prevent getting bronchitis or pneumonia. Follow simple hygiene practices to prevent getting these infections.
- Follow good personal hygiene
- Wash hands often
- Avoid coming in contact with the sick
- Quit smoking
- Take plenty of rest and fluids
- Get the flu vaccination, talk to your doctor for more information, you can take it anytime during your pregnancy
Natural Remedies For Chest Infection In Pregnancy
Some natural remedies that can help you to treat chest infections are:
- Garlic Syrup: An equal number of white onions and garlic cloves with some honey can be chopped and put into a container overnight. Consume this syrup at regular intervals with some warm water to ease chest infection
- Hot Compress: Respiratory problems have long been treated with hot compresses. You can use a warm towel or a hot water bag to help you relieve chest congestion and loosen mucus
- Aromatherapy: Essential oils can also help you deal with chest congestion. Eucalyptus oil can help to lose mucus in the lungs. However, it is recommended to take your doctor’s advice
- Green Tea: Green tea helps to relieve congestion and headaches. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help combat chest pain. You can also have peppermint tea which will help to reduce congestion and stimulate blood circulation.
- Dietary Supplements: A high-fiber diet comprising fresh fruit juices and whole grains can help combat chest infections in pregnancy. A healthy diet that is low in fats and oils will boost your immune system and keep infections at bay.
When To Consult a Doctor?
If you feel any chest infection such as a common cold or cough that lasts longer than 5 days, immediately call your healthcare experts for their recommendation. During diagnosis, if your obstetrician finds you have chest infection due to bacterial infection, they may recommend some medicines or antibiotics such as Amoxil (amoxicillin), Ampicillin, Zithromax (azithromycin), Cleocin (clindamycin), Macrobid (nitrofurantoin), Penicillin and Firvanq (vancomycin).
In some cases, your doctor may vaccinate you against common flu during pregnancy. Vaccination can help to protect the growing baby inside the woman from catching flu after the birth. Furthermore, follow the precautionary measures and natural remedies to get ridden of these infection symptoms.
Catching colds and cough can be bothersome during pregnancy as your body feels fragile already and coughing can make you feel more uncomfortable and it can stress your unborn baby. A usual cough or cold will not have any harmful effects on the baby in the womb because the placenta will protect the baby from external and internal stress. However, Pneumonia is a serious condition and can have deadly effects on your unborn baby. It poses a risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, and growth retardation in the baby. If you have anemia or asthma, there is a high risk of getting pneumonia. If you get pneumonia when you are pregnant, follow your doctor’s instructions and take good care of yourself at home.
FAQ’s
1. Is Chest Infection Harmful During Pregnancy?
Yes, chest infection can be harmful during pregnancy. Chest infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and flu can lead to low birth weight, preterm labor, and respiratory failure. It would be advised to get a doctor’s recommendation when you catch a chest infection during pregnancy.
2. How Do You Treat Respiratory Infection During Pregnancy?
If you have a chest infection during pregnancy, it is advised to take proper rest and keep yourself hydrated. Moreover, if you are diagnosed with acute bacterial sinusitis, doctors may advise you on antibiotics, or antimicrobial therapy to get relief from the chest infection.
3. Can Coughing During Pregnancy Affect The Baby?
No, coughing does not harm the baby during pregnancy. The baby is protected inside the uterus and is surrounded by amniotic fluid that helps to keep the fetus protected from the coughing movement. Coughing solely is not impactful to cause any harm to the growing fetus.
4. How To Remove Cough From The Chest During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, you can follow some home remedies to remove cough from the chest. Drink plenty of water, herbal tea and gargle with lukewarm salty water. Inhale steam during chest infection and consume warm liquid such as ginger tea, lemon honey tea and warm water. Talk with your doctor for over-the-counter medicine to treat chest infection during pregnancy.
References
- Gül, Ş., Uysal, M.A., Kocakaya, D. (2022). Bacterial Pneumonia During Pregnancy. In: Cingi, C., Özel, H.E., Bayar Muluk, N. (eds) ENT Diseases: Diagnosis and Treatment during Pregnancy and Lactation. Springer – https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-05303-0_61#
- NHS, Uk , Pre-eclampsia – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pre-eclampsia/#
- CDC.gov, About RSV – https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/index.html#
- Ashby, T., Staiano, P., Najjar, N., & Louis, M. (2022). Bacterial pneumonia infection in pregnancy. Best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology, – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35970746/
- CDC.gov, Influenza – https://www.cdc.gov/flu/spotlights/2020-2021/influenza-pregnancy-loss.htm#
- University of Rochester, Sputum Culture – https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=sputum_culture#:
- CDC.gov, Tuberculosis in Pregnancy – https://www.cdc.gov/tb/about/pregnancy.html#
