Topic: What to Know About Bronchitis During Pregnancy
While people who are pregnant are not truly immunosuppressed, the delicate balance of the immune system during pregnancy can be upset by viral infections, including bronchitis.
Bronchitis Symptoms
Bronchitis often develops along with a viral infection. Symptoms may include:
- A cough that may be dry or productive of sputum. When mucus is present, it may be clear, yellow, or green.
- Sore throat
- Sinus congestion
- A low-grade fever (usually less than 100.5 degrees F) and chills
- Body aches
Less commonly (and sometimes a sign of a complication), you may experience:
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing up blood (even a very small amount is a medical emergency)
Prevention Tips
An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure when it comes to contracting bronchitis during pregnancy. Although you may not be able to prevent bronchitis entirely, there are a number of ways that you can reduce your risk. These include:
- Avoiding friends or family members who are ill (yes, we understand this can be challenging if you have small children)
- Avoiding crowded events, especially during cold and flu season
- Frequent handwashing, or using hand sanitizer when needed
- Avoiding cigarette smoke
- Wearing a mask if you will be exposed to dust/fumes (such as wood dust) or if you may be around people who have cold and flu symptoms
- Minimizing outdoor activity if the air pollution level in your area is high (traffic-related air pollution is an important risk factor for bronchitis during cold season)
Topic Discussed: What to Know About Bronchitis During Pregnancy
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