How to cure pharyngitis in pregnant women: approved drugs

Pharyngitis is not the most dangerous pathology , which, with timely contact with specialists, can be easily treated in most cases.

But during pregnancy, this disease can result in serious complications both the expectant mother and the fetus .

This is due to the fact that against the background of hormonal changes, the immune system of pregnant women does not work fully.

Important! Traditional methods of treatment require careful observation by the attending physician and selection of a course on an individual basis to avoid consequences for the child.

What is pharyngitis?

Pharyngitis is a pathological inflammation of the mucous membrane and lymphoid tissues of the pharynx .
The disease can have different origins and occur in acute or chronic form. The causative agents of this disease in two thirds of cases are viruses , one third are pathogenic and opportunistic fungi and bacteria .

During pregnancy, the risk of getting pharyngitis increases significantly.

Measures aimed at treatment at home

Of course, pharyngitis should be treated with medications only after visiting a doctor, strictly under his supervision. But to alleviate the symptoms and quickly get rid of them, you need to take some measures at home:

1. Constantly ventilate and humidify the air in the room, this helps to constantly saturate the pregnant woman’s blood with oxygen.

2. 
   Bed rest and constant rest are necessary for pregnant women, especially during periods of illness.

3. It is contraindicated to overstrain the vocal cords and speak less.
4. Warm and abundant drinking will not only help relieve inflammation, but will also speed up the release of viruses from the body.
5. Rinsing the mouth with decoctions of chamomile and sage herbs for disinfection.

Proper nutrition

Equally important is proper nutrition, in order not to irritate the mucous membrane of the throat, you need to exclude everything sour, spicy and salty, carbonated water, do not eat cold or too hot.

It is good to eat warm, soft foods, such as cereals, soups, vegetable and fruit purees. This will not only be beneficial for the throat, but also for the gastrointestinal tract in general.

Pharyngitis can also be treated with folk remedies. Potato inhalations help a lot, of course, this is possible in the initial stages and under the supervision of a doctor.

At later stages, you need to take pharyngitis seriously as a disease that can cause irreparable consequences, for example, develop into an incurable chronic form.

Treatment with folk remedies

Pharyngitis should be treated using all methods permitted during pregnancy. Inhalation of potato steam, lubricating the tonsils with propolis, as well as drinking warm honey with milk help well.

For gargling and instillation into the nose, the following recipe is suitable: 40 drops of a 10% alcohol solution of propolis are dissolved in 60 mg of water and instilled into the nose. You can also gargle with this solution.

Also suitable for rinsing is a decoction of chamomile, sage or calendula flowers.

To do this, add a tablespoon of sage and chamomile to half a liter of water and boil for 15 minutes. Then you can add a tablespoon of honey. You need to rinse 3-4 times a day. During pregnancy, the safest way is to gargle with a solution of sea salt; to prepare it, you need to dissolve a tablespoon of salt in half a liter of warm water.

Drug therapy

It is very difficult for pregnant women to choose drugs that can treat pharyngitis. After all, most antiviral drugs are prohibited during pregnancy. Usually a bacterial infection caused by an inflammatory process also joins the viral one.

To treat it, local antiseptics are prescribed, these can be lozenges or lozenges, aerosols and rinses. When the temperature rises, antipyretics are prescribed.

To maintain immunity, vitamins are prescribed, for example, Prenatal Forte.

Let's consider in the table the drugs that are allowed during pregnancy for the treatment of pharyngitis.

If swelling of the mucous membrane increases, you can lubricate it with Collargol or a solution of Tannin-glycerin. In case of a complex form of pharyngitis, the doctor may prescribe intramuscular injections, for example, Solcoseryl or Actovegin. The treatment regimen and dosage of drugs are prescribed by the doctor.

What not to do?

Pharyngitis must be treated on time, otherwise, as already mentioned, the inflammatory process will go further, to other tissues. The best option for his treatment would be a combination of taking medications and following all the rules for a speedy recovery.

But there are procedures that are contraindicated for pharyngitis, especially for pregnant women:

• rinsing with soda, salt and iodine is strictly prohibited, since such a procedure dries out the mucous membrane;
• take menthol lozenges;
• do not use nasal drops that constrict blood vessels;
• Do not drink more than two liters of water, as this can lead to swelling during pregnancy.

Types of pharyngitis

In pregnant women, pharyngitis can develop in the following types:

1. Catarrhal . The simplest type of disease, which is characterized by sore throat when swallowing, sore throat and expectoration of mucus. In the morning, a strong cough may appear, which in pregnant women can often provoke a gag reflex.
2. Hypertrophic . The affected surface becomes brightly colored, swelling covers the palate, and neoplasms appear on the throat in the form of compactions. Lymph nodes increase in size, and adenoids sometimes appear in the nose.
3. Granular. Sore throat intensifies when swallowing and can make itself felt even at rest, radiating to the ears and neck area. The mucous membrane of the throat becomes covered with a purulent film.
4. Atrophic. The feeling of dryness intensifies and practically does not disappear, and dense purulent crusts form on the mucous membrane, which can only be removed physically. Rinsing no longer helps and can only partially soften such thickened plaque). The nerve endings in the nasopharynx gradually atrophy if left untreated.

Types and symptoms of the disease

The nature of the disease can be in one of the following forms: acute or chronic.

Acute pharyngitis during pregnancy begins suddenly and has pronounced symptoms:

• sore and dry throat
• pain when swallowing
• dry cough
• increase in body temperature to 37.7-38 degrees

Chronic pharyngitis during pregnancy lasts a long time with periodic exacerbation of symptoms.

Symptoms of the chronic form of the disease depend on the severity:

At the initial stage, which is called catarrhal pharyngitis, the pregnant woman is bothered by a slight soreness and dryness in the throat, which intensifies after a long conversation or after a walk in the cold. In the morning, a painful dry cough appears, which can cause vomiting in a pregnant woman.

With moderate severity (granular pharyngitis), the sore throat is more noticeable and a feeling of a lump occurs. When examining the throat, the therapist sees red bumps on the back wall of the throat. The mucous membrane has a shiny surface and is covered with a purulent film.

The last degree (atrophic pharyngitis) is characterized by significant pain when swallowing, as well as the appearance of bad breath. The back wall of the throat becomes covered with dense purulent crusts, which can only be removed physically.

Regardless of the severity and form of the disease, patients suffer from a dry cough.

The exacerbation of the disease occurs in the autumn-spring period.

What still contributes to the development of chronic pharyngitis during pregnancy?

1. Frequent colds
2. Dental diseases
3. Decreased immunity
4. Heartburn
5. Diabetes
6. Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses

Predisposition to allergies

Most often, pharyngitis during pregnancy is caused by adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, and coronaviruses. In case of complications, bacterial infections may occur.

Causes of pharyngitis during pregnancy

Attention! Pharyngitis in pregnant women is most often caused by viruses, rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, coronaviruses and can be complicated by associated bacterial infections.

Predisposing factors and reasons for the development of pathology can be:

• diseases of the teeth and oral cavity;
• exposure to cold air , which contributes to hypothermia of the body;
• irritation of the larynx through smoking and eating hot or spicy foods;
• mucosal injuries;
• predisposition to allergies.

Symptoms of the disease

Pharyngitis in pregnant women is characterized by such symptoms as:

• swelling of the throat and a feeling of dryness;
• feeling of a foreign body in the throat ;
• When examined, the mucous membrane looks smooth and shiny (in medicine the term “varnished surface” is used);
• pain and difficulty swallowing ;
• the appearance of a specific odor from the mouth ;
• persistent dry cough.

Symptoms

Clinical manifestations depend on the severity and the state of the woman’s immune system. Symptoms may be mild and not affect general well-being. In this case, there is a risk of missing the onset of the disease and not starting treatment on time. Therefore, if even minor complaints occur, it is necessary to visit a doctor.

The main manifestations of pharyngitis:

• Feeling of tickling, burning, presence of a foreign body in the throat. There is a desire to clear your throat and remove this discomfort. Symptoms worsen at night and reach a maximum in the morning. The explanations are quite simple - during sleep, many people breathe through their mouths, the air dries out the mucous membranes, aggravating the situation.
• Dry cough. Sputum is rarely produced, this is due to the addition of tracheitis and bronchitis.
• The temperature rises to subfebrile levels (37-38 °C) only in acute cases.
• Enlargement and tenderness of the submandibular lymph nodes.
• Decreased performance, drowsiness, headache, poor appetite occur due to intoxication.

Consequences and complications for pregnant women with pharyngitis

If pharyngitis is not treated in time, pathological processes can spread to neighboring organs and tissues , which occurs more quickly in pregnant women due to a weakened immune system.

Carefully! If the disease develops in the early stages of pregnancy, there is a risk of negative effects of pathogenic microorganisms on the fetus.

As a result, the child may develop intrauterine hypoxia . The manifestation of fetal growth retardation syndrome cannot be ruled out.

Diagnostics

First of all, the attending physician takes an anamnesis , conducting a detailed interview with the patient, after which a pharyngoscopy procedure .

During the survey, it is sometimes possible to roughly determine what is causing the development of the disease, and this makes it possible to reduce the time of diagnosis and begin treatment faster.

Patients must undergo a general blood test , after which a bacterial culture (for this, a mucus sample taken from the surface of the mucous membrane is used by performing a smear).

Pharyngoscopy if pharyngitis is suspected is necessary to assess the general condition of the tissues , and the specialist can see the presence of tumors and examine the swollen areas in detail.

Based on some signs, during diagnosis it is often possible to immediately identify the disease. For example, if pinpoint bruising is observed on the mucous membrane, this indicates that the causative agent is group A streptococcus.

Treatment of pharyngitis during pregnancy

Remember! Many traditional methods are not suitable for treating pregnant women, as they can negatively affect the health of the mother and child.

For this reason, the basis of treatment in most cases is not so much drug therapy as general symptomatic procedures .

In particular, pregnant women with pharyngitis are recommended :

• take foot baths with the addition of medicinal herbs;
• during the day, drink warm tea, milk with honey, jelly and compotes as often as possible - a large amount of liquid helps to “wash out” pathogenic microflora from the surface of the larynx and pharynx;
• salty, spicy, hot and chilled foods must be excluded from the diet;
• any actions that contribute to throat strain are contraindicated (this applies to screaming and prolonged conversations );
• Ventilate and moisten the room more often .

What inhalations can be used?

Inhalation is the recommended method for treating pharyngitis in pregnant women , as it is a safe method with no contraindications.

For inhalation you can use:

• chlorophyllipt;
• rotokan;
• furatsilin;
• mineral water;
• propolis.

Keep in mind! Inhalations must be performed using a nebulizer, and it is better to avoid traditional steam inhalations (steam inhalation) during pregnancy.
During this period, it is also better to avoid inhalations with cedar, dill, basil, rosemary and sage oils and miramistin.

Drug therapy

Drug treatment of pharyngitis during pregnancy involves complex treatment, which consists of several stages:

1. Treatment of the posterior wall of the larynx with anti-inflammatory agents: inhalipt, kameton, hexasprey, tantum verde.
2. The use of astringent solutions for severe swelling (for example, a 5% tannin-glycerin solution).
3. The use of lozenges (for pregnant women, hexalyse and lysobact are suitable, but only under the supervision of the attending physician and preferably not earlier than the third trimester).
4. Panadol to reduce the temperature if it rises above 37.5 degrees.

Chronic pharyngitis during pregnancy must be treated by rinsing with sea water or 1% sodium chloride solution .
Procedures must be performed daily every three hours.

The affected back wall of the pharynx can be lubricated with retinol or nut oil, if compactions of lymphoid tissue form on the surface of the larynx - they can be cauterized with liquid nitrogen or a medical laser.

If necessary, you can use thinning drugs , this is especially true for the atrophic form of pharyngitis (for pregnant women it is better to use acetylcysteine).

Additionally, regular consumption of vitamin A is recommended , both in pure form and as part of multivitamin complexes.

Rinse

Do not forget! Rinsing can be considered the safest and most effective treatment method for pharyngitis from a therapeutic point of view.

For such procedures, pregnant women can use the following products:

• a weak solution of potassium permanganate (the drug is diluted until it reaches a pale pink color);
• decoctions based on chamomile, sage, calendula and other medicinal herbs;
• furatsilin;
• alcohol-based chlorophyllipt solution;
• propolis tincture.

Such remedies relieve pain, eliminate localized infections and relieve inflammation .

But for maximum effectiveness of rinsing, it is necessary to perform rinsing correctly.

The intervals between meals and rinsing should be at least forty minutes. The solution itself must be warmed to room temperature.

We must remember! Rinse solutions cannot be prepared for future use: the optimal storage time for such products is about three hours; in extreme cases, the solution must be used during the day.

Each rinse should last at least five minutes.

Danger of the disease in different trimesters

During pregnancy, any disease poses a threat to the fetus, especially if it is accompanied by an increase in temperature and the spread of viruses and bacteria in the body.

The first trimester is the most dangerous during pregnancy, because the fetus is the most vulnerable during this period, so even a common cold can cause a miscarriage, not to mention viral diseases.

At the first manifestations of pharyngitis, you should immediately consult a doctor.

The second trimester is considered the safest; the fetus is actively developing.

But during this period, the disease can affect the appearance of hypoxia and the normal development of the fetus. The fetus may become infected with the virus.

At a later stage, pharyngitis can provoke premature birth, as well as fetal hypoxia.

Pharyngitis during pregnancy can be dangerous and cause complications directly for the health of the expectant mother, namely, pharyngitis in advanced forms can develop into laryngitis or tracheitis, and later provoke the appearance of pneumonia.

Treatment of pharyngitis during pregnancy must be done on time, then complications for the mother and bad consequences for the fetus can be avoided. After going to the hospital, the doctor must diagnose and prescribe safe treatment for pregnant women.

Preventive measures

It is quite difficult for pregnant women to protect themselves from such diseases, but if certain preventive measures are followed, this is possible.

First of all , it is necessary to limit your stay in places with large crowds of people , especially in the midst of epidemics.

It is necessary to take special care of personal hygiene : you must wash your hands after every time you go outside and after contact with people, even if you are sure that the person is not a carrier of pharyngitis pathogens.

It is important to avoid hypothermia by dressing appropriately for the weather. If there is a feeling of hypothermia and the first symptoms of a cold appear, you need to immediately take treatment measures.

also necessary to treat any infectious pathologies that spread to the areas of the larynx and pharynx.