When the upper respiratory tract is mentioned, the nose,
sinuses, pharynx and larynx are understood. Inflammation of these areas is also
called upper respiratory infection. Upper respiratory tract; It is connected to
the ear and lower respiratory tract and affects these areas in case of
infection.
Theoretically, inflammations such as colds, flu, pharyngitis,
sinusitis, laryngitis all fall under the upper respiratory tract infection.
Names such as flu infection or rhinopharyngitis are also used in the same
sense. However, in practice, sinusitis or some specific inflammations are
excluded from this concept. Viruses are caused by upper respiratory infection,
sometimes bacterial infections are added. When the upper respiratory tract
infection is mentioned, common cold or flu is generally understood. Pharyngitis
often accompanies these conditions.
The incidence of these microbes in nature increases in the
autumn and winter months. The frequency of upper respiratory tract infection
increases in these months with long stay in closed places (school, nursery,
barracks, workplace etc.), not being well ventilated here, lowering the cold's
body resistance, cigarette smoke, insufficient-unbalanced nutrition and some
very unknown mechanisms. This situation, which is very disturbing even in
normal times, causes more trouble during pregnancy and causes expectant mothers
to worry about their babies.
Flu and colds mix very often, they are two very different
situations. The causes and consequences differ. Both diseases occur with
viruses, and the flu consists of 3 types of viruses called Influenza A, B, C,
while the common cold is caused by more than two hundred viruses. While the
common cold affects the nose, the flu affects the whole body.
Both diseases are transmitted from the air in the form of
droplet infection. When the person carrying the virus sneezes, millions of
viruses get into the air and enter the person's eyes, nose and mouth, causing
an infection. The person who gets the virus has the most contamination around
the first 2 days after that. In other words, the first time the symptoms are
seen is the time when the contagiousness is the most. On the other hand, hands
may also play a role in contamination. A sick person can get the disease after
wiping his nose with his hand, for example, when he shakes hands with another,
and the person he shakes his hand after scratches his eye.
Symptoms of
a cold:
Runny nose, sneezing, cough, mild headache, mild fever,
watery eyes, ear pain
Flu
symptoms:
Muscle pain, dry cough, nasal congestion, difficulty in
breathing, runny nose, fever, chills, severe headache, anorexia, weakness,
fatigue
GROSS AND
FLU VACCINE IN PREGNANCY:
Pregnancy alone does not pose a risk to catch upper
respiratory tract infection. However, when a pregnant woman gets the infection,
the chance of complications increases much more. When women of the same age
group are compared, it is seen that those who are pregnant are admitted to
hospital due to upper respiratory tract infection, compared to those who are
not pregnant. Pregnancy causes changes in the circulatory and respiratory
system, as well as the immune system of the person, causing them to be at
higher risk of complications. On the other hand, a prospective mother suffering
flu in the late stages of pregnancy has a good chance of passing the postnatal
disease to her baby.
The flu vaccine is a safe vaccine that can be used during
pregnancy and breastfeeding without live viruses. Women who are in the second
or third trimester of pregnancy during the epidemic season are recommended to
have a flu shot. In case of high risk conditions such as diabetes, asthma,
hypertension, flu vaccine is recommended regardless of gestational age. In
women without such high risk factors, the vaccine is recommended to be given at
the end of the first trimester. However, antibodies that develop in the mother
after vaccination will pass to some babies and protect her against flu in the
first months of life.
Flu season generally covers November - April. The ideal
period for vaccination is the time period between October and mid-November. It
takes 1-2 weeks for antibody to be produced after vaccination and protection to
begin. The protection of the flu vaccine varies between 70-90%.
Possible side effects of the flu vaccine include: local
tenderness and swelling at the injection site, mild fever and weakness, rarely
allergic reaction
Flu vaccine does not cause flu. Upper respiratory tract
infections seen within the first 2 weeks after vaccination are completely
random and have nothing to do with the vaccine.
On the other hand, since the egg is used while preparing the
vaccine, flu vaccine is contraindicated and should not be done in those with
egg allergy.
Treatment Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for
both diseases. No drugs or applications will shorten the duration of the
disease. However, supportive treatments should be applied that can help
overcome complaints in a milder and less discomfort manner.
Supportive
treatment and what to do during the flu or cold are:
- Both diseases are diseases caused by viruses. Antibiotics
are not effective on viruses, so antibiotics should not be used.
- During epidemic periods, it may be protective not to stay
in closed places too long and to wash hands frequently.
- The best and most effective supportive therapy is rest. If
possible, bed rest should be done.
- Keeping your head up while lying down (sleeping with 2 or
more pillows) will reduce the discomfort of nasal discharge.
- Ensure that the environment in question is warm enough and
well ventilated.
- Drying of air should be prevented and it should be provided
to be moist.
- Adequate fluid intake is extremely important. Pregnant
woman should take at least 10 glasses of fluid per day. The liquid taken should
be water or juice.
- Pastille can be used to relieve sore throat.
- Salt water or ocean water etc. for nasal congestion.
available.
- If there is pain in the sinus areas (on the cheekbones and
on the eyes), compresses should be applied to reduce congestion.
- When complaints improve, normal activity should not be
resumed immediately, rest should be continued for a while for full recovery.
-URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN PREGNANCY
-DYSENTERY AND DIARRHEA IN PREGNANCY
-MUMPS IN PREGNANCY
-MEASLES IN PREGNANCY
