Coughing during pregnancy may be a sign of pneumonia if accompanied by these 10 symptoms

Of the many types of infections that are prone to attack pregnant women, there is one you need to be more aware of, namely pneumonia. Pneumonia during pregnancy can pose a high risk of complications and can have a negative impact on the safety of the fetus. What's more, the symptoms of maternal pneumonia can be very similar to those of the common cold and cough. So if you recently coughed while pregnant, don't take it for granted. We recommend that you consult further with your gynecologist.

What causes pneumonia during pregnancy?

Pneumonia is an infection (viral, bacterial, or fungal) that affects the lungs, and is usually a complication of a severe cold. Pregnant women are prone to infection because their immune system tends to weaken due to hormonal changes.

In addition, the risk of pneumonia will increase if you also:

• Have anemia.
• Have asthma.
• Actively smoking during pregnancy.
• Routinely visit the hospital so that you are susceptible to contracting infections (nosocomial infections or hospital acquired infection /HI)
• Have certain chronic diseases; for example HIV during pregnancy and having a low CD4 cell count.

Apart from coughing during pregnancy, what are the other symptoms of maternal pneumonia?

The symptoms of pneumonia can be very similar to those of a normal cough. However if cough during pregnancy gets worse day by day and accompanied by sensations shortness of breath is severe enough, this could be a sign of pneumonia. Especially if it comes out with yellow, green, and even bloody phlegm.

In addition, the symptoms of pneumonia during pregnancy can include:

• The body feels hot and cold (chills)
• Fever
• Shivering
• Excessive fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Breath is fast and shallow
• Gag
• Sore throat
• Headache
• I felt aches and pains all over my body.

Unlike the usual cough symptoms during pregnancy, which generally subside quickly, pneumonia symptoms will continue to appear throughout pregnancy from the first to the third trimester. The intensity of the severity also continues to increase, especially if you do not get treatment.

How to distinguish ordinary shortness of breath from those due to pneumonia?

Shortness of breath is a common complaint throughout pregnancy. In fact, some women can immediately complain of shortness of breath in the early trimester of pregnancy.

This is because during pregnancy, you will experience an increase in the hormone progesterone which narrows the capacity of the lungs to store and expel air. Plus, weight will continue to increase throughout pregnancy which can put pressure on the mother's lungs.

However, shortness of breath is more likely due to pneumonia if you can't finish a sentence without stopping halfway to catch your breath.

Symptoms of pneumonia also causethe chest feels intense pain when coughing and taking deep breaths. Normal shortness of breath, including during pregnancy, usually will not cause chest pain.

Is the treatment of pneumonia during pregnancy different from usual?

Handling pneumonia during pregnancy is not that different from ordinary pneumonia. However, it should be noted, the immune system of pregnant women who tend to be low can cause pneumonia to appear more severe than infection in ordinary people.

In severe cases, pneumonia in pregnant women can cause premature or low birth weight babies (LBW), and even miscarriages. That is why there must be prompt and qualified medical treatment so as not to cause the risk of dangerous complications.

The doctor will first check your medical history from before pregnancy, listen to lung sounds, get X-rays of the lungs (in general, lung x-rays are safe for pregnancy), to sputum (sputum) analysis.

If it is caused by a bacterial infection, the doctor will provide antibiotics that are safe for pregnancy such as cefalosporin or macrolides. If it is caused by a viral infection, the drug is antiviral.

In addition to the two drugs, you may also be given fever-reducing drugs that are safe for pregnant women and are advised to rest and keep your body hydrated so you don't get dehydrated.

Do not carelessly take any non-prescription drugs or herbal ingredients without consulting your gynecologist.

Can pneumonia during pregnancy be prevented?

To prevent pneumonia, maintain personal hygiene to avoid potential infections and maintain a healthy body condition throughout pregnancy.

Wash your hands regularly in the right way, get adequate rest, eat nutritious and balanced foods, exercise regularly, and as much as possible avoid being near people who are sick.

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