Pregnancy

9 Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia during Pregnancy

Pneumonia during Pregnancy

Not only the effect of an enlarged stomach, and shortness of breath can also be a symptom of pneumonia during pregnancy. Recognize and deal with it before it’s too late.

Shortness of breath is a common complaint felt by pregnant women, especially when entering the last trimester of pregnancy. However, did you know that these complaints can also be symptoms of pneumonia during pregnancy?

Pneumonia is a lung infection that occurs as a result of exposure to bacteria, fungi, or viruses.

Pneumonia can also appear as a complication of certain illnesses, such as influenza or chickenpox. If left unchecked, pneumonia can be dangerous for pregnant women and their babies.

By recognizing the symptoms of pneumonia during pregnancy, it is hoped that you can be more aware of the possibility of this disease occurring.

Check out the following explanation for Pneumonia during Pregnancy.

1. Shortness of Breath

Pregnant women who have pneumonia can experience shortness of breath or gasp for air, even when resting. Is a symptom of Pneumonia during Pregnancy.

“Pneumonia is an inflammation that occurs when a person has an infection in the air sacs in the lungs. Normally the lungs are not filled with fluid, but only filled with air, causing sufferers to experience shortness of breath,” said Dr. Arindam Majumdar.

Some people even need supplemental oxygen or treatment to help them breathe.

2. High Fever

The characteristics of pneumonia in other pregnant women are high fever, around 38 degrees Celsius or higher, accompanied by sweating and chills.

Symptoms of pneumonia can be mild to life-threatening. Pregnant women with pneumonia will experience cold or flu-like symptoms that last a long time. Generally, these symptoms persist for 2-4 weeks.

3. Cough

Pregnant women who suffer from pneumonia will also usually cough. Although not always, people with pneumonia more often experience coughing up phlegm due to bacteria.

Meanwhile, people with viral pneumonia produce less phlegm and tend to have a dry cough.

Doctors must consider other factors to confirm pneumonia, for example, whether you have a fever or loss of appetite.

To overcome this one symptom, the doctor will recommend that you take cough medicine. Not only to suppress the urge to cough, but also to thin the fluid in the lungs.

4. Nausea and Vomiting

Although not a classic symptom of pneumonia, vomiting can occur due to nausea. Note that nausea or dizziness are the more common symptoms of pneumonia and can sometimes cause vomiting.

5. Chest Pain

Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of pneumonia and is caused by the membranes in the lungs filling with fluid.

This condition causes pain or a prickling sensation. It usually gets worse when coughing, breathing, or laughing.

Shortness of breath or coughing can tire your muscles and cause pain. You can also feel discomfort in your chest because the lungs are infected.

6. Fatigue

After catching a cold or other types of infection, everyone will experience a feeling of fatigue that can last for days or weeks. Likewise, this fatigue appears when suffering from pneumonia.

The sensation of fatigue is thought to be one of the signals for the body to suppress physical activity so that the body can get back in shape.

7. Excessive sweating

Symptoms of pneumonia in subsequent pregnant women, namely sweating or more moist skin. When your body is trying to fight off an infection like pneumonia, you may sweat more or your skin may feel clammy to the touch.

Even if it’s just sweating, this symptom must be watched out for because it could be a sign of sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication of pneumonia.

8. Shivering

Shaking or chills could be a sign of pneumonia. However, the condition is different with decreased body temperature. Pneumonia-related chills usually come on quickly and can be very intense.

These symptoms are usually accompanied by fever and may be a sign of bacterial growth in the bloodstream.

9. Loss of Appetite

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, viruses are responsible for about a third of all cases of pneumonia. In addition to flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever, and headache, you may have less appetite,

If you feel uncomfortable, immediately consult a doctor. You will be given antibiotics if you are diagnosed with pneumonia due to bacteria, antivirals if a virus causes it, and antifungals if a fungus causes the condition.

If you experience the signs above, don’t hesitate to see a doctor. Especially if there are complaints such as chest pain, high fever, difficulty breathing, vomiting for the last 12 hours, and decreased fetal movement.

Some women are more prone to getting pneumonia during pregnancy, especially if they have anemia, asthma, chronic illness, and a smoking habit.

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