Patient's question:
I am 4 months pregnant and have caught a cold. I have a runny nose and coughing, but it's a dry cough with only a little mucus. However, my throat is very dry and painful, and I keep wanting to cough. I also feel a bit dizzy! Could this be the flu? I'm very worried because the flu seems to be very harmful to the fetus. I went to the doctor, who prescribed me acetylsalicylic acid, vitamin C, and a white herbal granule. Can I take these medications? I would appreciate it if the expert could clearly answer my two questions. Thank you very much!First follow-up question: Doctor, I would like to ask if I can use spiramycin. Thank you! Because my throat is really dry and painful, and I feel like my lungs will hurt when I cough.
Doctor's answer:
Hello: Pregnant women, if they get a cold, can take medication under the guidance of an obstetrician, and on the other hand, in the early stages of a cold, they can also use the following methods to cure the cold without taking medicine or getting injections.(1) When the throat feels itchy and sore at the beginning of a cold, use strong salt water to rinse the mouth and throat every 10 minutes. About 10 times should be effective.
(2) Drinking chicken soup can relieve nasal congestion and runny nose symptoms during a cold and has a good effect on clearing respiratory viruses. Drinking chicken soup regularly can enhance the body's natural immunity and prevent colds. Adding some pepper, ginger, or other seasonings to the soup, or eating noodles with it, can also cure a cold.
(3) Pour about 42°C (108°F) hot water into a thermos cup. The person with a cold should place their mouth and nose inside the cup and continuously inhale the hot steam. Do this three times a day.
(4) When a pregnant woman coughs, beat one egg, add a small amount of white sugar and ginger juice, and mix it with half a cup of hot water. Taking this 2–3 times can help stop coughing.