Strep throat during pregnancy

Rest assured that you are not alone if you are concerned about strep throat during pregnancy. No one wants a sore throat at any time, but pregnant moms don't need any extra effort. There is no connection between angina and pregnancy. Unfortunately, you are at risk of strep throat during pregnancy, just like when you are not pregnant.

Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils. The throat becomes irritated and inflamed, causing sudden and severe sore throat. Strep throat is caused by streptococcal bacteria (streptococci). There are many types of strep bacteria. Some cause more serious illness than others.

A sore throat does not mean you have a sore throat. Allergies and other infections can easily cause inflammation and irritation in the throat. If you have a sore throat with a fever, see your doctor. Your doctor will do a "strep test" (a culture taken from a swab of your tonsils) to determine if it's a strep infection.

Be aware that sometimes you can contract a viral infection that causes a sore throat, sneezing, and a runny nose. This is different from strep throat, which is a bacterial infection. If the doctor determines that you have a sore throat, he will try to treat you with antibiotics. You also need to get enough rest so that your body can recover properly.

Strep throat vs group B

Sometimes the words "strep throat" lead people to search the internet where they can find group B strep. It's a completely different and unrelated bacterium. Group B streptococcus is a type of infection found in the vagina or rectum that a mother can pass on to her baby during childbirth. Most women are screened between 35 and 37 weeks for this infection. (This is not a sexually transmitted disease.)

This is a common infection that is not usually passed on to your child. Remember that group B streptococcus is not associated with the bacteria that cause sore throats. So if your doctor has told you about angina, you don't have to worry about group B.

Strep throat symptoms during pregnancy

You are pregnant and have various symptoms. You know you don't feel well, but your biggest question is, "What's wrong with me?"

Symptoms of angina:

Pain in the throat
Red and swollen tonsils
Headache
The white spots in the throat or tonsils
Weakness and fatigue, lack of energy
Difficulty while eating and swallowing
Inflammation of the throat
Swelling around the neck
Fever
Excessive sweating
Enlargement of lymph nodes
Loss of appetite
Cough, nausea
Difficulty breathing
Abdominal pain

Note that it is not necessary to have all of these symptoms to have strep throat during pregnancy. Look for a combination of symptoms and see your doctor to let him know how you are feeling.

Treatment of strep throat during pregnancy

Strep throat is treated with antibiotics, which kill the bacteria that cause the infection. The most common antibiotics for sore throats are cephalexin, penicillin, and amoxicillin. You should strictly follow the instructions of the doctor regarding the dosage.

An overdose of antibiotics can harm both the mother and the baby. Keep in mind that inadequate intake of antibiotics can lead to recurrent infections, which again can harm the mother and baby. Antibiotics also help bring down the temperature.

Cephalexin is pregnancy category B. Animal data indicate that cephalexin does not impair fertility or harm the fetus. Cephalexin crosses the placenta and is distributed in the tissues of the fetus. However, there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because available data are limited, cephalexin should only be used during pregnancy if absolutely necessary.

Penicillin belongs to pregnancy category B. This drug does not adversely affect the course of pregnancy in women who are not allergic to penicillin. Diarrhea is often associated with the use of antibiotics. If the diarrhea seems bloody or lasts longer than a few days, see your doctor, as it could be a sign of an allergy to penicillin. Penicillin passes into breast milk in small amounts. There are no negative side effects associated with the use of penicillin during breastfeeding.

Amoxicillin has been classified as pregnancy. Animal studies using doses up to 10 times the human dose have shown no evidence of teratogenicity (no effect on growth or development of the child). Although there are no controlled data on human pregnancy, there are no literature reports of adverse effects on the fetus. Amoxicillin is recommended during pregnancy only when the benefits outweigh the risks.

Treatment of strep throat during pregnancy at home

Note that there are home remedies for sore throats during pregnancy. These treatments are designed to relieve symptoms. You can take the recommended dose of paracetamol, a commonly used over-the-counter pain reliever (analgesic) and fever reducer (antipyretic).

However, avoid taking aspirin and ibuprofen.

Cold liquids sometimes make a sore throat worse, so limit or even avoid cold drinks. You may find that gargling with warm salt water relieves the symptoms of a sore throat during pregnancy. Some women report that adding a pinch of turmeric to hot water also provides relief.

You can look for various decaffeinated herbal teas such as green tea, chamomile tea, lemon and cinnamon tea, which can act as natural pain relievers to help relieve sore throats.

Prevention of strep throat during pregnancy

Keep in mind that water and other fluids hydrate the body, which reduces the risk of infections during pregnancy. Therefore, take the necessary measures to prevent throat infections during pregnancy. One of the most important things you can do is wash your hands regularly, especially when you are in public.