Upper Respiratory Infection

Most pregnant women will have at least one URI while pregnant. While not dangerous for most women, they can be fairly annoying.

Left alone, they will generally resolve within the same amount of time as if the woman were not pregnant. During this time, relief of symptoms is the best you can do for her.

Drugs are to be avoided, but the following medications may be used to good advantage if necessary:

Acetaminophen	This will effectively relieve muscle aches and fever. It is considered safe during pregnancy. (Category B drug, the same as prenatal vitamins.)
Guaifenesin	This expectorant is considered safe during pregnancy. The addition of codeine (safe) will result in significant suppression of cough.
Pseudoephedrine	This sympathomimetic is a very effective decongestant. It's use during the 1st trimester is sometimes restricted because of indirect data suggesting a slight increased risk of fetal malformations. Late in the third trimester, its' use is again restricted because of its' somewhat unpredictable cardiovascular effects.
Triprolidine	An effective antihistamine, it is considered safe during pregnancy.

Antibiotics may be needed for those URI's complicated by bacterial sinusitis or bronchitis. In this case, the following are safe: