Sore throat, or acute tonsillitis, is an infectious and inflammatory disease of the tonsils. During pregnancy, this condition can occur at any stage, including just before childbirth. Is sore throat dangerous for pregnant women? How to treat acute tonsillitis in the third trimester?

Causes

The development of sore throat in pregnant women can occur in two ways. With exogenous infection in the body expectant mother pathogenic agents penetrate: viruses, bacteria, fungi. The source of infection will be a sick person with obvious manifestations of a sore throat, runny nose and sore throat. With endogenous infection, the patient’s own microflora is activated and inflammation occurs in the tonsils. The latter option is implemented in women suffering from chronic tonsillitis.

Among bacteria, the causative agent of the disease is most often group A b-hemolytic streptococcus. This microorganism has one unpleasant property. Penetrating into the respiratory tract, it not only provokes local inflammation, but also causes autoimmune reactions. Antibodies are formed that attack the internal organs and nervous system of a person. After suffering from streptococcal tonsillitis, the development of rheumatism, glomerulonephritis and other equally serious complications is possible.

In addition to streptococcus, the causative agent of the disease can be staphylococcus and yeast-like fungi. Often, examination reveals a mixed bacterial flora. In young women, enteroviruses and adenoviruses can be the culprit of sore throat.

The development of sore throat is promoted by banal hypothermia and drinking cold drinks. Against this background, the most favorable conditions are created for the development of viruses and bacteria. Natural immune suppression also plays a role in the development of acute tonsillitis. The disease often occurs even in those women who, before conceiving a child, had not encountered anything more serious than a common ARVI.

Symptoms

Signs of tonsillitis during pregnancy have no specific differences:

• increased body temperature;
• chills, weakness and other signs of intoxication;
• sore throat that gets worse when swallowing, opening the mouth, or talking;
• soreness of regional lymph nodes.

The disease always begins acutely with a rise in body temperature and the appearance of chills. Often the development of a sore throat is preceded by a runny nose and other symptoms of ARVI. A few hours later, a sore throat, dryness, and sore throat develop. The lymph nodes in the neck enlarge and become sharply painful. The severity of the manifestations of angina will depend on its form, as well as on the general resistance of the woman’s body to infections.

In the third trimester of pregnancy, sore throat is quite difficult to tolerate. The growing uterus constantly puts pressure on the diaphragm, leading to shortness of breath. The woman's breathing is difficult. Many expectant mothers in later stages complain of nasal congestion (rhinitis during pregnancy). Against this background, a sore throat and high body temperature significantly worsen a woman’s general well-being, lead to increased shortness of breath and make normal breathing difficult.

Complications of pregnancy

High body temperature with sore throat has an adverse effect on the condition of the expectant mother. Severe intoxication can lead to premature initiation of labor and the birth of the baby ahead of schedule. Termination of pregnancy in the third trimester can also be caused by uncontrolled use of antipyretic drugs. After 24 weeks, any antipyretics can be used only at body temperatures above 38.5 °C and under the supervision of a physician.

Bacterial or viral tonsillitis in the third trimester can cause the following complications:

• premature birth;
• polyhydramnios;
• placental insufficiency;
• fetal hypoxia and delayed development.

The baby is not in danger of developing various defects of internal organs in the third trimester. In most cases, with timely treatment, angina proceeds safely and has virtually no effect on the health of the fetus and newborn.

Treatment methods

A sore throat due to a high temperature is a reason to consult a doctor. A local therapist treats tonsillitis. In many antenatal clinics We have our own doctor who specializes in treating pregnant women with various extragenital diseases.

Drug therapy for angina includes:

1. Taking antibacterial drugs.
2. Irrigation of the throat with antiseptic and antibacterial solutions.
3. Taking antipyretics (as indicated).

Antibiotics are an essential component in the treatment of bacterial sore throat. In the third trimester of pregnancy, macrolides are added to the already known penicillins and cephalosporins. Antibiotics from these groups are approved for use in expectant mothers and do not pose a danger to the fetus. The choice of a specific antibacterial drug is determined by the type of sore throat and the severity of the disease.

The course of treatment for sore throat lasts from 5 to 10 days and is usually carried out at home. Hospitalization to a hospital is indicated in the following situations:

• deterioration of the woman’s condition during therapy;
• tonsil abscess and other complications;
• violation of the fetal condition (decreased motor activity, changes in CTG);
• development of pregnancy complications (threat of premature birth, signs of fetal hypoxia, etc.).

For a viral infection, antibiotics are not prescribed. To increase the overall reactivity of the body, interferon inducers (Viferon and other drugs) are used. To maintain immunity, do not forget about taking multivitamins and a balanced diet.

Local antiseptic drugs are used for severe sore throat. In the third trimester, the list of approved drugs is quite large (Lizobact, Miramistin, Hexoral, etc.). Gargling with a decoction of calendula, chamomile, or a solution of furatsilin gives a good effect. To facilitate nasal breathing, you should rinse your nose with saline solutions every 2-3 hours. You can use vasoconstrictor drugs at night (no more than 3-5 days in a row).

1. Drink more fluids. Warm drinks relieve sore throat and relieve the condition.
2. Avoid hot, sour drinks, spicy foods and spices until complete recovery. These products injure the oral mucosa and slow down its healing.
3. If your body temperature is high, stay in bed.
4. Don't forget to ventilate the room.
5. Use air humidifiers to create an optimal microclimate.

Childbirth with angina usually takes place through the natural birth canal. The reason for a caesarean section may be a significant deterioration in the condition of the woman and fetus, as well as the development of complications. If necessary, treatment of angina continues in the postpartum period.

Sore throat during pregnancy in the third trimester is not as dangerous as in early stages. This is due to the fact that almost all fetal organs are already formed. At the end of pregnancy, the body of the expectant mother is deprived of strength and vital energy, and performance immune system oppressed. Sore throat most often causes complications affecting cardiovascular system. Also, sore throat in late pregnancy weakens labor.

Sore throat is infectious disease, which is caused by a certain type of microbe. Typically, the causes of the disease are the following factors:

• airborne droplets (due to non-compliance with personal hygiene measures);
• Often a sore throat appears due to the activation of opportunistic microflora of the oral cavity. At the same time, the overall performance of the immune system decreases;
• The disease also manifests itself in existing inflammations of the ear, nose and mouth: caries, sinusitis, otitis media and others.

A sore throat or acute tonsillitis can only be diagnosed by a qualified doctor. He must confirm his diagnosis laboratory research, in particular with a smear, as well as confirm complete recovery and ensure deregistration after 2 weeks.

Symptoms

First of all, you need to know that two different forms of sore throat have their own symptomatic characteristics:

• the catarrhal form is characterized by redness of the tonsils and palatine arches, the appearance of mucous discharge;
• the follicular variety is characterized by the formation of yellow or white ulcers on the surface of the tonsils;
• The lacunar form is characterized by the formation of a film of yellowish plaque.

Pregnant women experience the following symptoms of acute tonsillitis:

• general weakness and chills;
• headaches and very rapid fatigue;
• temperature rises to 40 degrees;
• increased sweating;
• pain when palpating the lymph nodes;
• redness on the tonsils and throat;
• pain when eating;
• swelling of the tonsils.

Since the performance of the immune system sharply decreases due to hormonal changes, bacteria quite easily penetrate the body of a pregnant woman.

If you have a sore throat, it is necessary to undergo treatment to avoid serious complications. You should also know that other infections often occur against the background of this disease.

Treatment

Treatment of sore throat in a pregnant woman should only be adjusted by a doctor. If you start therapy before the formation of purulent inflammation, you can avoid many complications that affect the fetus in the womb.

The doctor most often prescribes a very gentle treatment, combining the use of vitamins, certain medications and traditional methods, if these are required for a quick and optimal recovery.

Nutrition

If you have a sore throat during pregnancy, you should eat light, low-calorie foods. It should provide the expectant mother’s body with all the necessary vitamins and microelements. In such situations, doctors advise drinking broths made with chicken or vegetables with the addition of white bread croutons. It is also recommended to eat porridge and dairy products. The following foods should not be eaten:

• too cold or hot;
• spicy and sour foods;
• products containing coarse fibers;
• fatty and fried.

If a woman has lost her appetite, then you should remind her of the need to replenish nutrients in the body. This is due to the presence of the mother’s fetus in the womb, which is fed only through the placenta, that is, it is completely dependent on the mother.

Drink plenty of fluids

If you have a sore throat, you should drink as much liquid as possible, especially boiled warm water and broth. This is especially important in the first days of infection. However, a pregnant woman should take into account swelling or kidney problems, if any.

If there is a lot of liquid, you can quickly knock it down high temperature. Lukewarm milk with honey, cranberry juice, and lingonberry juice will help. But under no circumstances should you drink hot drinks, as well as sweet and sour juice-containing liquids and lemonades.

How to bring down a high temperature?

Treatment for sore throat involves several aspects, but reducing the temperature as quickly as possible is very important. This is due to the fact that temperatures above 37 degrees can cause fetal abnormalities. Treatment should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor, since independent selection of medications can even lead to a worsening of the condition and disastrous consequences for the fetus.

Going to the doctor for a sore throat should not be delayed. Before visiting a specialist, you can alleviate the condition in the following ways:

• warm tea with raspberries, linden or cranberries;
• You should drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration during fever;
• wear light clothing, ventilate rooms;
• you can wipe the skin with a solution of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice;
• Gauze applied to the forehead and soaked in camphor alcohol also works well.

It is often necessary to use antipyretic drugs made on the basis of paracetamol (for example, Cefekon). But these drugs can only be prescribed by a doctor. Depending on individual characteristics and the course of pregnancy, they sometimes cannot be taken.

It is possible to reduce the temperature with the help of medications only in situations where it is recommended by a specialist, and not with any increase in body temperature. When an antibiotic is prescribed during pregnancy, additional fever-control medications are most often not required.

Antibiotics for sore throat during pregnancy

Antibiotics are often needed when sore throat develops in pregnant women. They allow you to stop the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity and prevent the appearance of purulent processes. Typically, in such situations, experts recommend using the following drugs:

• penicillin group drugs, for example, Amoxiclav;
• groups of macrolides, for example, Rovamycin;
• group of cephalosporins, for example, Suprax.

You should know that even these drugs approved for use during pregnancy are harmful. Although their harmful effect on the fetus is reduced to minimal limits, there is also no benefit. In addition, for catarrhal tonsillitis, after consultation with a doctor, you can use local drugs like Bioparox.

Homeopathic treatment

During pregnancy, some doctors advise taking homeopathic medicines to avoid negative consequences for the fruit. Homeopathic remedies are: Tonsilgon, Angin-hel. If the performance of the immune system is greatly reduced, then such drugs are unlikely to have any therapeutic effect, but on the contrary, they will only do harm. Also, this treatment cannot be used for the purulent form of the disease, as complications and fetal abnormalities can occur.

Lozenges

Most dissolving tablets and lozenges relieve symptoms, but do not cure the disease completely. Based on this, experts recommend taking only those products that bring quick results. This allows you to avoid unnecessary stress and maximize the safety of the fetus. You can take the following drugs: Lizobakt, Faringospet, Travisil, Imudon.

Lubricating the tonsils

In the treatment of sore throat, the irrigation method is widely used: Chlorhexidine bigluconate and Miramistin are used for this. They are antiseptics that destroy pathogens and prevent inflammation. However, even such harmless remedies can only be used with the permission of the attending physician.

To treat the tonsils with solutions of these drugs, you can use cotton swabs. When processing, you should not put too much pressure on the tonsils, as you can damage the mucous membrane and introduce the infection even deeper.

Rinse

Rinses should be used in the first days of the disease approximately every 2 hours. There are several options for preparing solutions:

• a solution of hydrogen peroxide in water;
• alcoholic tincture of calendula, dissolved in water;
• Rotokan diluted in water;
• infusions of medicinal plants in water: oak, sage, chamomile, calendula;
• Furacilin dissolved in a glass of water.

This procedure can reduce the plaque that forms on the tonsils, which as a result reduces the risk of intoxication. Also, when rinsing, pathogenic microorganisms are removed from the tonsils, pain is reduced and medications are practically not absorbed into the blood. That is why this method is safe in the treatment of sore throat in pregnant and nursing mothers.

Folk remedies

There are several methods to cure sore throat during pregnancy, excluding the negative impact on the fetus and the mother’s body as a whole. The most effective methods traditional medicine the following:

• You should mix flax seeds, linden, chamomile and eucalyptus. This mixture is poured with boiling water and infused for 2 hours. The infusion should cool down. It is recommended to gargle for about 2-3 minutes;
• Sucking on lemon drops helps a lot. This method allows you to get rid of pathogens through the action of citric acid;
• you can make the following mixture: onion, apple, honey. This improves the performance of the immune system. This medicine is recommended to be taken several times a day after meals;
• For a sore throat, gargling with beet juice helps a lot. Freshly squeezed juice should be diluted with apple cider vinegar. It is recommended to rinse several times a day.

Traditional methods of treatment, although safe, should be consulted about their use with your doctor in order to avoid unexpected negative consequences.

Prohibited methods of treatment

There are some treatments that have a negative effect on fetal development, causing improper bone formation and various abnormalities:

• Do not take antibiotics belonging to the tetracycline group;
• Under no circumstances should you take a drug such as Aspirin;
• Do not gargle with preparations that contain iodine;
• It is not recommended to take hot foot baths, as they most often provoke a miscarriage;
• Do not apply alcohol compresses, pepper plasters or mustard plasters. They cause the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms and do nothing to improve the situation.

A doctor should warn a pregnant woman about such treatment methods and protect her health by giving clear recommendations on medications and preventive measures.

Consequences and complications

The consequences of sore throat during pregnancy in the third trimester are very varied and all are severe. This is due to the fact that a woman’s body provides two organisms with nutrients. With sore throat in the last stages of pregnancy, the following complications may occur:

• myocarditis;
• purulent inflammation of the larynx;
• meningitis;
• intoxication caused by pathogenic bacteria;
• inflamed lymph nodes;
• pyelonephritis;
• heart failure;
• weak labor activity.

All consequences and complications of angina can only occur if the disease was initially neglected. At the first sign of a sore throat, you should immediately contact your doctor. He will advise traditional methods

treatment, if necessary, and also adjust the intake of necessary medications.

Prevention

First of all, it should be said that you should not take medications without a doctor’s recommendation - this can seriously affect the health of the mother and child. Only a specialist can say exactly which medications will ensure the safety of a pregnant woman and help her recover quickly.

• To ensure protection against sore throat, the following preventive measures should be taken before and during pregnancy:
• improve breathing through the nose;
• prevent oral diseases and cure possible diseases;
• increase the performance of the immune system (you can take mineral and vitamin complexes prescribed by your doctor);
• it is recommended to get rid of chronic diseases;
• You should take water procedures as often as possible (swimming pool, warm shower if there is no temperature);
• you should not smoke, abuse alcohol, or take drugs;
• It is recommended to rest as much as possible and monitor physical activity;
• eat healthy low-calorie foods, fruits, vegetables;
• it is recommended to ventilate living spaces;
• you should absolutely not be nervous;

When carrying a child, you should regularly rinse your mouth with warm water with the addition of antiseptic drugs. It is not recommended to drink cold drinks, eat ice cream and overcool the body in any way - this has a negative impact on health and often causes a sore throat. In addition, pregnant women should avoid contact with possible carriers of the infection. This will significantly reduce the risk of developing the disease.

At the first symptoms of a sore throat, you should consult a doctor. He will be able to advise on the most optimal treatment and conduct the necessary examination, and will also tell you about the possible teratogenic effects of certain medications on the fetus.

Sore throat during pregnancy is one of those dangerous diseases, complications from which can affect the developing fetus.

It is no secret that during pregnancy a woman’s immunity is significantly reduced and the female body is susceptible to various ailments, including inflammatory processes.

As soon as the expectant mother begins to experience discomfort in the throat: soreness and soreness, headaches, exhaustion, inflammation and swelling of the tonsils, intense fever, joint and muscle pain, then this is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

The essence of the problem

Sore throat (tonsillitis) is an infection of the tonsil mucosa caused by staphylococcus or streptococcus viruses.

They can be infected by airborne droplets or through household contact, through dirty food, dishes or hands.

There are the following types of tonsillitis:

1. Bacterial tonsillitis, caused by an adenovirus, is the most common and easily treatable type of throat infection. Accompanied by fever, redness of the tonsils and pain when swallowing. With timely treatment, recovery occurs within a few days and does not affect the development of the child.
2. For catarrhal pain, joint and muscle pain, headaches, lack of appetite, fatigue, sore throat when swallowing and talking.
3. causes the development of ulcers on the mucous membrane of the tonsils. It has 3 subtypes: follicular - with pustules on the tonsils; lacunar, when a yellow film envelops the tonsils; necrotic - a complicated form of purulent tonsillitis, accompanied by necrosis of the mucous membrane of the tonsil epithelium, is treated by removing the affected tonsils. Purulent tonsillitis during pregnancy is the most dangerous, as it can cause the development of bronchitis, sinusitis, otitis and have a negative impact on both the mother and the fetus.

Tonsillitis during pregnancy occurs somewhat differently than in ordinary person. This is due to the hormonal changes that occur in the body during pregnancy.

During this period, the woman’s entire immune system is aimed at preserving the fetus and reacts in a special way to the entry of a harmful virus into the body.

For example, the temperature can rise to 40 °C. Reactions to medications may also vary.

Symptoms of the disease

Infectious lesions of the tonsils in the initial stages are very similar to a cold or other ailments. To do this, it is necessary to clearly classify the symptoms of the disease:

• temperature rises to 39-40 ºC;
• increased sweating;
• headaches and joint pain;
• the lymph nodes are enlarged, painful swallowing is noted;
• lack of appetite, impotence;
• redness of the throat and whitish pustules on the tonsils (with purulent sore throat).

The earlier treatment for tonsillitis during pregnancy is started, the more favorable the outcome of the disease. Lack of proper therapy can lead to complications in the heart or renal system, or damage to the joints.

Sore throat during pregnancy can have undesirable consequences for the mother and child.

It is greatest in the early stages of pregnancy, since the 1st trimester is an important period for the fetus, during which the development of many organs of the baby occurs.

Possible consequences of sore throat during pregnancy

In the medical literature there is detailed descriptions Why tonsillitis is dangerous during pregnancy:

• a woman develops severe toxicosis, accompanied by frequent, up to 5-7 times a day, bouts of vomiting and dehydration;
• purulent sore throat during pregnancy in the first trimester can cause fetal development disorders;
• physiological pathologies of fetal development;
• stoppage of fetal development (fading);
• sudden miscarriage and open bleeding.

Tonsillitis and pregnancy in the later stages can cause the development of the following pathologies in the expectant mother:

• inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis);
• brain damage;
• damage to the entire body by toxins;
• kidney pathologies;
• cardiac dysfunction;
• difficult labor due to weakness.

If you know how to treat tonsillitis during pregnancy, all these problems can be avoided, but it is important not to waste time.

It is important to clearly know how to treat sore throat during pregnancy. First of all, adherence to strict bed rest and drinking plenty of fluids.

The food should be soft so as not to injure the already inflamed mucous membrane of the tonsils.

Due to the fact that most medications prescribed for sore throat are contraindicated during pregnancy, treatment of sore throat in pregnant women is somewhat different from traditional therapy.

Treatment of tonsillitis in the first trimester

In the first 3 months, the embryo develops the heart, blood vessels, digestive organs, and nervous system.

During this period, if a sore throat is detected during pregnancy, treatment is complicated by the fact that many medications cannot be taken due to the risk of harming the developing fetus.

Antibiotics are prescribed of a certain type, harmless to the baby, but after passing an analysis to determine the type of virus and its sensitivity to antibacterial drugs.

It is important to remember that you should not stop using the antibiotic when improvement occurs for fear of harming the child.

The course must be completed to kill all germs. Otherwise, harmful microorganisms develop resistance to the drug.

Treatment can be carried out at home. It should consist of the following aspects:

• strict bed rest;
• the diet should be dominated by foods containing proteins and vitamin C;
• drink plenty of fluids (at least 100 g of warm water per hour) - tea with honey and lemon, juices, dried fruit compote, still warm mineral water. Chicken broth is very useful during this period, as it saturates the stomach and at the same time replenishes fluid loss;
• relieve fever without using medications - wipe with warm water, apply cold compresses to the forehead, wash your face with cool water; only Panadol and Paracetamol are antipyretics;
• 4-5 times a day, gargle with a decoction of chamomile or sage, or a soda-salt solution;
• inhalation with a decoction of chamomile and sage, mint, pine buds, potatoes, but take with caution for no more than 3-4 minutes.

Treatment of sore throat in the 2nd trimester

Sore throat during pregnancy in the second trimester is treated with the same methods as indicated above. The 2nd trimester of fetal development makes it possible to use drugs with local effects directly on the affected areas.

These drugs include Furacilin, Antiangin.

Furacilin is the safest and most effective medicine with antibacterial, antiseptic and regenerating effect.

Rinsing with Furacilin solution for 5-6 days completely kills pathogenic microorganisms (add 2 powdered Furacilin tablets to 1 glass of hot water until completely dissolved, rinse for 4 minutes every 3-4 hours).

However, this remedy in rare cases has side effects - allergies, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, bleeding.

Antiangin lozenges have a good antimicrobial and analgesic effect.

The antiseptic Chlorhexidine contained in the drug destroys the viruses of pneumococci, staphylococci and streptococci. The effect is felt a few minutes after administration.

Therapy for tonsillitis in the 3rd trimester

Treatment of sore throat in pregnant women in the third trimester is much easier to treat, since almost all organs of the fetus are already formed.

But the 3rd trimester of pregnancy when infected with viruses is dangerous because the disease can lead to the development of a weakening of labor.

Inflammatory processes of the mucous tonsils in the last stages are treated as follows:

• antibiotics are prescribed (Penicillin, Erythromycin, Sumamed, Gentamicin);
• local antiseptics - Anti-angina;
• gargling and inhalation with pharmaceutical herbs, with the addition of fir, eucalyptus oil, soda-saline solution, Furacilin, Miramistin;
• diet therapy - foods high in various vitamins; irritating foods - salty, spicy, sour - are excluded.
• To flush out toxins from the body, drink plenty of fluids.

ethnoscience

If a woman is pregnant and has tonsillitis suddenly, there are traditional medicine recipes that are effective and safe for expectant mothers, aimed at relieving pain, inflammation and destroying pathogens.

Anyway everything folk remedies used after consultation with your doctor.

Some methods traditional treatment pregnant women with sore throat:

1. Grind a few peeled lemons with sugar. Take the infused mixture 1 tsp. 5 times a day. This is a good anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, strengthens the body, saturates it with vitamin C.
2. Add a finely chopped head of garlic to 1 glass of apple juice and boil for 5 minutes. Drink warm up to 3 glasses per day.
3. Add 2 tbsp to the grated pulp of 1 apple and 1 onion. l. honey Take 0.5 tsp. 3 times a day.
4. Decoctions for inhalation - from unpeeled potatoes (with the addition of a few drops of turpentine), a soda-salt mixture with the addition of 2 drops of iodine.
5. Gargling - chamomile and sage decoction, propolis solution (1 tbsp propolis in 1 glass of warm water, gargle every hour), marshmallow infusion (2 tbsp pour 500 ml of boiling water and leave for 2 hours), beer mixture ( Mix 1 liter of hot beer with 1 glass of yarrow juice, gargle and drink 1 glass 3 times a day), 1 glass of beet juice with the addition of 1 tbsp. l. vinegar (rinse 5 times a day), etc.
6. Treating the throat with an alcohol-saline solution (mix 100 g of vodka with 2 tablespoons of coarse salt, lubricate the tonsils 6 times every half hour), a mixture of 1.5 g of novocaine, 100 ml of alcohol, 2.5 g of menthol, 1.5 l lubricate the neck with anesthesin 3 times a day and wrap it with a warm scarf.

Prevention of sore throat in pregnant women

To avoid contracting a sore throat, pregnant women must perform the following procedures and adhere to certain rules:

• regularly ventilate and humidify the room;
• Use individual utensils for eating and drinking;
• do not communicate with sick people;
• strengthening the immune system by taking special vitamin and mineral complexes for pregnant women, drinking more fresh fruit juices;
• when visiting crowded places, lubricate your nose with oxolinic ointment and put on a gauze mask;
• maintaining oral hygiene;
• timely treatment of diseases of the teeth and oral cavity (stomatitis, caries, gingivitis, etc.);
• use of antibacterial personal hygiene detergents;
• if there is a family member with a sore throat in the house, regularly fumigate the air in the room with aromatic oils of tea tree or fir, eucalyptus, orange;
• When using heaters, place containers of water in the room.

If the first signs of a sore throat appear during pregnancy, it is better to consult a doctor without delay.

Under no circumstances should you self-medicate, much less let the disease take its course, in order to avoid unpleasant consequences and the loss of the child.

Sore throat during pregnancy is dangerous due to complications that can arise in the mother or fetus. To avoid them, it is necessary to consult a doctor from the first hours of illness and carefully follow his recommendations. The only thing you can do before visiting a doctor is to gargle every hour with a decoction of neutral herbs like chamomile or a solution of soda and salt. Adequate medical prescriptions significantly reduce the likely consequences for the child.

In the early stages, sore throat is especially dangerous

What is a sore throat?

Sore throat is an acute infectious (read: contagious) disease of the tonsils, which is most often caused by streptococcus and staphylococcus. The palatine tonsils form a protective lymphoid ring that guards the body. Any infection that tries to enter the body through the nose or mouth encounters resistance from the immune system. The battlefield in this case is the throat, which becomes very inflamed.

Sore throat during pregnancy, as in any other period, can be acute or chronic. The acute form develops following a respiratory infection or hypothermia, which reduces defenses. The chronic course is mild, exacerbations have the same symptoms as the acute form.

The symptoms are as follows:

• acute onset with a sharp increase in body temperature to 39 degrees and above;
• severe intoxication - chills, headache, weakness, body aches, sweating, lack of appetite;
• sore throat caused by enlargement and swelling of the tonsils, when it is impossible to swallow solid food;
• enlargement and tenderness of the lymph nodes under the ears and lower jaw.

Sore throat is especially dangerous in the early stages, since the body not only begins to fight infectious agents, but also involves its own internal organs - the heart, kidneys, joints - through the mechanism of autoimmune defense. Too many antibodies are produced, which can damage the fetus both in the first trimester and in other periods.

The infection has the ability to penetrate any internal organ through a network of lymphatic vessels, which is more branched than the blood vessel.

Why you can't treat yourself

Symptoms similar to a sore throat can be a manifestation of completely different diseases: diphtheria, infectious mononucleosis, leukemia, HIV and others. Self-treatment of viruses not only makes no sense, but also brings obvious harm: the body not only has to fight the causative agent of inflammation, but also neutralize the medicine that is needlessly loading the body of the expectant mother.

The first trimester is the most vulnerable period of pregnancy for the fetus, when the formation of its internal organs occurs. The slightest failure at this time leads to developmental defects that cannot be eliminated in the future.

The second trimester is the time when the main organs of the fetus are formed and it is more protected. However, a woman becomes more vulnerable; she may develop heart and kidney diseases with serious dysfunction of these organs, which will remain for life.

In the third trimester, the disease is dangerous for both the fetus and the woman; the following complications are possible:

• premature birth;
• fading of fetal development;
• placental abruption;
• late toxicosis.

Proper treatment prescribed by a doctor almost always avoids adverse consequences, especially in the early stages.

How is a sore throat treated?

In the early stages, special attention is paid to creating optimal conditions for the development of the fetus and preventing it from being affected by infection. While the temperature persists, you need to maintain bed rest - this reduces the likelihood of heart damage. You need to drink a lot of warm liquid so that the body quickly cleanses itself of bacterial fragments, pathological metabolic products and toxins. Tea will do mineral water, homemade compote. It is important that the drink is warm, approximately room temperature.

You need to eat when you want. If you have no appetite at all, you shouldn’t force yourself to eat: the body spends energy fighting infection and has no resources left for digesting food. A day or two on a half-starvation diet cannot harm the fetus; the body has reserves for this case.

The first trimester is too important a period to fight your own body. The food is simple and soft: broths, pureed meat, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs. You need to eat something that is easy to swallow. Swallowing food through pain is not only unpleasant, but also harmful: you can mechanically damage the inflamed tissue.

It is advisable to gargle every hour; regular gargling removes pathogens from the surface of the tonsils. Rinsing cannot resist the penetration of the pathogen into the internal organs and shorten the duration of the disease, but it does improve the general condition. It is very useful to gargle after every meal.

The following solution is suitable as a rinse:

• 200 ml, or one glass, of warm water;
• 1 incomplete teaspoon of salt;
• 1 incomplete teaspoon of soda;
• a few drops of iodine (2-4, no more), if there are no thyroid diseases.

Herbal decoctions can be used if your doctor allows it. Many medicinal plants- string, wormwood, thyme, sage - are contraindicated during pregnancy due to their properties. Before brewing any herb, you should consult your doctor.

The doctor also recommends antipyretics. Paracetamol is considered the safest for mother and fetus, for which full clinical studies have been conducted. Paracetamol is produced under different trade names by pharmaceutical companies in many countries. The use of antibacterial drugs, especially in the second trimester, is mandatory; without them, complications are possible. Proven antibiotics are used, preferably those that the pregnant woman has already used before. This will avoid an allergic reaction. The doctor decides which antibiotic to use.

After prescribing antibacterial drugs, health improves within 1-2 days. The most common and dangerous mistake of this period is stopping medication without permission. A decrease in temperature and subsidence of pain does not mean that the disease is over. The infectious agent and antibodies to it continue to circulate in the body, doing their destructive work.

The overwhelming number of kidney inflammations and rheumatic diseases are a consequence of untreated sore throats.

Along with antibacterial agents, antihistamines are prescribed to reduce the likelihood of developing autoimmune processes.

A little about prevention and myths

Treatment is prescribed only by a doctor, taking into account individual characteristics body and gestational age.

Sore throat is a contagious disease, so it is impossible to get sick just like that, without a source of infection. It is necessary either to contact the patient, or a source of chronic infection must become active in the body. Chronic infection can be found, for example, in carious teeth, enlarged and loose tonsils. A woman of childbearing age must constantly fight foci of infection, especially if she is planning a pregnancy. It is advisable to avoid contact with sick people, constantly wash your hands, and use separate dishes and linen.

Sore throat during pregnancy can develop at any stage. The danger of the disease lies in the development of early and late consequences for the mother and child. There is also a risk of the pathology becoming chronic. The method of therapy should be determined by the doctor. Early diagnosis is extremely important when choosing management tactics for a pregnant woman.

Due to the hormonal and physiological changes that occur in the body during pregnancy, if the disease occurs, pregnant women are at greater risk of developing complications.

The greatest danger from viral or bacterial infection is in the period up to 12 weeks, when the formation of the organs and tissues of the unborn baby occurs.

Viral tonsillitis, suffered in the second half of pregnancy, is a risk factor for the development of intrauterine infection due to transplacental transmission of the virus to the fetus. Respiratory viruses that cause perinatal damage can persist and multiply in 11% of cases in the placenta, fetal brain and choroid plexuses of the lateral ventricles of the brain.

When an infection occurs during pregnancy, the embryo and fetus are affected not only by pathogens, but also by toxic products that are formed as a result of the mother’s metabolism during the breakdown of the infectious agent.

Enterovirus infections are quite common. Enteroviruses are transmitted to pregnant women through direct contact with a patient with an intestinal infection or with damage to the upper and lower respiratory tract.

When a sore throat develops in the early stages of pregnancy due to influenza or parainfluenza, miscarriages occur in 25–50% of cases. The frequency of defects is small.

With herpetic sore throat, heart defects, developmental anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract, hydrocephalus, pneumonia, jaundice, and anemia may occur. Also, infection of the fetus with the herpes virus leads to spontaneous abortion and premature birth.

The most common cause of sore throat is a bacterial infection: staphylococci, streptococci, diplococci, Haemophilus influenzae, anaerobes, spirochetes, chlamydia, mycoplasma and others.

Among bacterial pathogens, beta-hemolytic streptococcus group A, or pyogenic streptococcus, is of great importance.

The source of infection is a sick person during an exacerbation or a bacteria carrier. Transmission mechanism: airborne, contact, food. The pathogen can penetrate the fetus through the placenta and cause pathological changes in developing organs.

Symptoms of sore throat in pregnant women

Clinical manifestations of sore throat in pregnant women include:

• sore throat that gets worse when swallowing and talking;
• increase in body temperature to 38 °C and above;
• headache, chills, joint pain, weakness;
• fibrinous or purulent plaque on the surface of the tonsils and in the lacunae;
• enlargement and tenderness of the lymph nodes in the area of ​​the angle of the lower jaw.

Sore throat is especially difficult to tolerate in late pregnancy. Oxygen absorption progressively increases in the second and third trimesters. The growing fetus puts pressure on the diaphragm, which makes breathing difficult, especially during physical activity or movement. Therefore, any inflammatory changes in the upper respiratory tract can affect the general condition, leading to the development of tissue hypoxia of the mother and fetus.

Physiological immunosuppression in pregnant women may contribute to the generalization of inflammation and increase the risk of bacterial complications.

How dangerous is streptococcal sore throat for an expectant mother? The danger lies in the development of early (abscesses, neck phlegmon, otitis media) and late (acute rheumatic fever, myocarditis, polyarthritis, glomerulonephritis) complications, as well as the risk of transition to a chronic disease.

The effect of sore throat on the embryo, fetus, consequences for the child

When an infection occurs during pregnancy, the embryo and fetus are affected not only by pathogens, but also by toxic products that are formed as a result of the mother’s metabolism during the breakdown of the infectious agent. Hyperthermia and hypoxia, which occur during an acute inflammatory process, also have an effect.

The consequences of sore throat in the 1st trimester of pregnancy depend on the gestational age: in the first 6 days after fertilization, the zygote may die or completely regenerate; During the period of embryo- and placentogenesis (from the 7th day to the 8th week of pregnancy), fetal death, the development of deformities, and primary placental insufficiency are possible.

Sore throat in the 2nd trimester is dangerous due to the development of sclerotic changes in organs and tissues. The formed pathology of various organs and systems of the fetus with angina in the second trimester of pregnancy can be determined using ultrasound.

The third trimester is characterized by the fact that the fetus acquires the ability to specifically respond to the introduction of an infectious agent with leukocyte infiltration, humoral and tissue changes.

The use of antibiotics in pregnant women is possible only in cases where the indications or expected effect of therapy outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.

If there is a purulent-inflammatory focus in the mother's body, for example an abscess, hematogenous infection of the fetus is possible. In this case, bacterial infection of the placenta with subsequent disruption of the placental barrier leads to the spread of bacteria through the bloodstream and the development of intrauterine sepsis.

In severe cases, the outcome of an infection that affects the fetus may be:

• death of the fertilized egg;
• spontaneous abortion;
• prematurity (for example, premature birth at 37 weeks due to fetal hypoxia);
• intrauterine growth restriction;
• antenatal death;
• placental insufficiency;
• violation of the newborn's adaptation;
• various manifestations of local and generalized infectious process.

Diagnostics

During the examination, pharyngoscopy is performed. The pharyngoscopic picture of acute inflammation of the tonsils is characterized by hyperemia and tissue edema. Purulent plugs are visualized in the lacunae.

In the diagnosis of tonsillitis, the main method is bacteriological culture of discharge from the mucous membrane of the tonsils and oropharynx with determination of sensitivity to antibiotics. In some cases, an additional PCR (polymerase chain reaction) method is required to identify certain fragments of DNA or RNA of the pathogen cells.

There is also a method for rapid diagnosis of streptococcal infection, based on determining the antigen of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, without first isolating a pure culture of the pathogen. The test allows you to determine the presence of bacteria within 5–10 minutes. But in parallel, a classic bacteriological culture is prescribed to confirm the preliminary diagnosis and possible correction of treatment.

How to treat a sore throat and with what, only a specialist can decide. After examining and taking material for research, the doctor assesses the severity of the patient’s condition and determines what can be prescribed at this stage of pregnancy, because not all medications are safe for the fetus.

A pregnant woman with acute tonsillitis can be observed simultaneously by several specialists: an obstetrician-gynecologist, an infectious disease specialist, an otolaryngologist, a cardiologist, and a rheumatologist.

The greatest danger from viral or bacterial infection is in the period up to 12 weeks, when the formation of the organs and tissues of the unborn baby occurs.

Treatment of sore throat at home is carried out after consulting a doctor, as a rule, in the absence of elevated body temperature, which can be regarded as a mild course of the disease with minimal risk to the mother and unborn child.

When body temperature rises above 38 °C, an antipyretic drug that can be taken at any stage of pregnancy is Paracetamol. It can be taken 500 mg no more than 4 times a day.

The use of antibiotics in pregnant women is possible only in cases where the indications or expected effect of therapy outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. At the same time, it is safe to prescribe penicillins, inhibitor-protected penicillins, and cephalosporins. Tetracyclines, doxycycline, fluoroquinolones, co-trimoxazole and sulfonamides are contraindicated during pregnancy.

Considering what dire consequences a sore throat can have, it is very important to consult a doctor in a timely manner to select adequate treatment and prevent complications.

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