Pregnant women, no less than patients who are not carrying a child, are at risk of experiencing a sore throat. This symptom appears in infectious and inflammatory diseases of the oropharynx, tonsils and larynx, and also accompanies a number of non-infectious processes. You cannot treat him lightly: the expectant mother is responsible not only for her own body, but also for the child's body. When a sore throat during pregnancy, you should carefully select medications - and for this you need to understand what causes the onset of pain and whether only drug therapy is enough.
Infectious pathologies
What can a sore throat say during pregnancy? If it is red, then most likely we are talking about inflammation. At the same time, it is important to distinguish between the mucous membrane in normal and pathological conditions - even in a healthy woman, it can have a rich pink hue. If the pain is due to a pathological process, one can assume:
- Pharyngitis (inflammatory lesion of the pharyngeal mucosa).
- Tonsillitis (defeat of the tonsils, often palatine).
- Laryngitis (damage to the mucous membrane of the larynx).
All of these pathological processes can occur as isolated lesions (for example, bacterial tonsillitis of streptococcal etiology) or are considered as manifestations of acute respiratory disease (ARI) of a viral or bacterial nature.
With ARI, a woman expecting a child has not only a sore throat, but also weakness, fever, and nasal congestion. A runny nose during pregnancy can be one of the likely causes of pain, even if the oropharynx was not initially infected with a virus or bacterium. The secretion draining from the nasal cavity irritates the mucous membrane.
It is worth noting that tonsillitis syndrome is characteristic not only of ARI, but also occurs in typhoid fever, measles, tularemia. During pregnancy, the likelihood of infectious mononucleosis cannot be ruled out - it is called monocytic angina, the causative agent is the Epstein-Barr virus. This disease is characterized by a long course, the appearance of yellowness of the skin is possible.
The defeat of the oropharynx and tonsils is also observed with scarlet fever and diphtheria. In the first case, beta-hemolytic streptococcus becomes the causative agent, in the second - diphtheria corynebacterium (diphtheria bacillus). Although these diseases are considered primarily childhood infections, adults, including pregnant women, can also become infected - and infect others. The highest risk group for diphtheria infection is in unvaccinated patients.
Infectious agents can also cause:
- paratonsillitis;
- parapharyngitis;
- intratonsillite.
In the first two cases, paratonsillar (peri-mendalic) and parapharyngeal (periopharyngeal) fibers are affected, respectively. With intratonsillitis, the tissue of any of the palatine tonsils is involved in the pathological process.
A feature of paratonsillitis, parapharyngitis and intratonsillitis is the presence of one-sided pain.
This is a distinctive symptom indicating a one-sided localization of the lesion. Since with pharyngitis and tonsillitis, which are observed as independent forms or manifestation of ARI, sore throat during pregnancy is bilateral, it can serve as a differential diagnostic sign.
Other reasons
Although most often a pregnant woman has a sore throat due to the onset of an infectious and inflammatory process, this symptom can also be explained by:
- Trauma.
- Pharyngolaryngeal reflux.
- Vomiting of pregnant women.
Trauma to the mucous membrane of the oropharynx and tonsils is rare in adult patients. She may be:
- thermal (if you accidentally eat too hot or cold food);
- chemical (accidental use of an aggressive chemical);
- mechanical (scratching, incision of the mucous membrane with a foreign object).
In the latter case, damage is most often caused by food elements - bones, inadvertently swallowed fragments of jewelry. The object can move into the lower parts of the digestive tract or get stuck in the tissue, which after a short time leads to the onset of an inflammatory process and increased pain. If the sore throat does not go away during pregnancy, and there is a suspicion of the presence of a foreign body (eating fish rich in bones, etc.), an immediate examination by a specialist is needed.
Pharyngolaryngeal reflux is caused by the throwing of chemically active stomach contents through the esophagus into the pharynx and larynx. It is often observed in people with chronic diseases of the digestive system, due to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, it can be detected in a woman who is expecting a baby. With prolonged preservation of reflux, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx and larynx develops, reflux pharyngitis and reflux laryngitis occur, which explains the sore throat during pregnancy.
Painful sensations can be triggered by vomiting of pregnant women.
Vomiting of pregnant women is a toxicosis that usually manifests itself in the first half of pregnancy and can have several degrees of severity. It is considered as a complication of the course of pregnancy; even with a mild form, episodes of vomiting are repeated at least 3-5 times a day, and the loss of body weight is up to 5% of the initial weight - on average from 1 to 3 kg. A severe form of toxicosis is manifested by frequent (more than 11-15 times a day), sometimes continuous vomiting. In this case, the aggressive medium from the stomach gets on the mucous membrane of the pharynx and irritates it. Severe pain appears, which can go away within a few hours - but only if vomiting does not occur again and again after a short time.
Choice of treatment
A patient who constantly has a sore throat during pregnancy needs:
- Eliminate irritation of the mucous membrane (food and drink should only be at a comfortable temperature, it is obligatory to refuse crumbling food, inhalation of irritating vapors, including tobacco smoke).
- Perform local treatment of the mucous membrane (gargle after eating).
- If necessary, use etiotropic drugs (for example, antibiotics approved by a doctor).
Gargling is required for infectious and inflammatory pathologies and can be carried out:
- saline solution (a teaspoon per 200 ml of warm water);
- infusion or decoction of chamomile (in the absence of individual sensitivity).
In some cases, antiseptic solutions are also needed (Chlorhexidine, Furacilin, Hydrogen peroxide), but only a doctor prescribes them to a pregnant woman.
Some antiseptics (for example, Hexetidine) should not be used in the first trimester of pregnancy.
What to do if a sore throat during pregnancy is sore, but the cause is not ARI or sore throat? With pharyngolaryngeal reflux, treatment of the underlying disease, diet is necessary. You can not bend over, especially after eating, excessive physical exertion should be avoided. With parapharyngitis and paratonsillitis, not only antibiotic therapy, but also surgery may be required. If the mucous membrane is damaged by a foreign body, it must be removed by contacting a medical institution.
Vomiting of pregnant women is an indication for the appointment of antiemetics (metoclopramide), with a significant loss of fluid - filling the deficit by intravenous infusion (Chlosol, Trisol). If the condition is serious, pregnant women are treated in a hospital setting - sometimes in an intensive care unit.Correction of metabolic disorders (Thiamin, Riboflavin) is required. With frequent vomiting, an immediate appeal to a medical institution is required, since self-correction of the volume of fluid by ingestion may not be enough, and the deterioration of the condition of the woman and the child she is carrying is only a matter of time.
Treatment for oropharyngeal infections
Pregnancy is a period of restrictions, including those related to drugs. Some expectant mothers prefer to endure, even if it hurts a lot - but not to use medications for fear of harming the child. However, treatment is necessary, since the complications of some diseases can be very serious, which, of course, will affect not only the female, but also the child's body.
What can a pregnant woman use if she is not lucky enough to get sick? The list may include drugs such as:
- Antibacterial.
- Local antiseptics.
- Pain relievers.
- Antipyretic.
Do not limit yourself to local treatment and folk remedies for bacterial sore throat - it is dangerous to develop numerous complications (for example, kidney or heart damage).
At the same time, antibiotics should not be used for a viral infection, since they only act on bacteria. With ARVI, the main measures are local therapy (combined drugs with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic action). Before taking any medication, you need to carefully read the instructions, consult your doctor.
Antibacterial, local antiseptics
Indicated for bacterial etiology of the disease. Pregnant women are allowed drugs belonging to the group of penicillins (Ampicillin), cephalosporins (Cefepim), macrolides (Josamycin, Rovamycin), local antiseptics (Lizobact). The greatest care should be taken when treating in the first trimester of pregnancy. The key to the success of antibiotic therapy is its validity, therefore, treatment is carried out only as directed and under the supervision of a physician.
Pain relievers and antipyretics
Pain relievers are used if the sore throat in pregnant women is intense, excruciating. You can apply local therapy, the so-called "throat remedies" (Tantum Verde, Faringosept), which are available in the form of tablets, rinse solutions. Antipyretic drugs (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen) are indicated at body temperatures above 38–38.5 ° C. Long-term use is undesirable, especially in late pregnancy.
Pain relievers and antipyretics are used only sporadically as symptomatic agents.
Sore throat during pregnancy is an indication for a specialist examination. Self-medication is unacceptable, since it is not always effective, and in some cases it can only delay the start of drug therapy, which will be more massive due to the development of complications.
