catching a cold

[AmyC]

I feel the tiniest hint of a scratchy throat and am optimistic that with some extra rest, food, and some proactive behavior I can get out of it without developing a cold. My toddler is at the end of a tough cold and I've managed to stay clear of it thus far, myself, but I foolishly sat up watching stupid television and then going online briefly until LATE last night/early this morning and I think that has left me flirting with disaster.

So, my question. What's the first thing you do when you feel a cold coming on and want to kick it out? What do you think is best to do/take during pregnancy?

I usually take extra B complex, zinc, and vitamin C, but I am only JUST coming out of severe nausea and haven't even tried swallowing pills, yet. I know we have some Emergen-C packets up in the cabinet, and there's the cold comfort tea I've been giving my daughter. I think I may have some echinacea tea, too (blech!), and a few echinacea/elderberry pills (no tincture or anything.)

I will do my best to grab a nap if I can, as well.

Just wondering what works for others. Thanks!

[SeekingSerenity]

Well, whatever works, I will remember it for next time. Last weekend, I got slammed with a cold. I am just now coming out the other side. I broke down and took OTC cold meds because I have to work, take care of kids, take care of the house and both kids were sick, too. I just had to have a way to keep going. DH got the cold and it settled in his throat as viral pharyngitis. I spent yesterday in the ER with him so he could get shots of penicillin and other stuff.

Hope you don't come down with it - try to rest, rest, rest, and drink lots of clear fluids. Feel better soon, mama!!

[lorelei]

Chinese food! Something spicy with lots of garlic and ginger.
The heat helps clear out my sinuses, and I think the garlic and ginger help fight off germs. Maybe it's the placebo effect, but it always worked when I was pg with dd1. We lived in WV and it seemed like I got sick frequently up there. I'm a Florida girl, so I wasn't used to those winters. lol

Good luck, mama!

[JennaW]

Rest, water, vitamins, diligent hand washing and clean! I always wash the sheets and go around cleaning "touched surfaces" with disenfectant wipes to try to reduce the risk of re-exposure.

[AmyC]

I was exhausted so I went to bed at 8:00 p.m. that night and slept until around 8 the next morning. I also made sure to lie down whenever I was tired during the next day (which is a little sketchy with my daughter home with me all day, but I have given up trying to keep her from spreading Moon Sand over every surface of the house.) The scratchy throat went away.

I sort of felt it back in the middle of the night last night, after having a day of feeling (relatively) fine, but I just pulled the down comforter up to my chin to get warmer and I felt fine by this morning. Well, fine as far as a cold goes. I've been nauseated and vomiting today, which is sooooo disheartening at this point (17 weeks.) Ugh!

I can tell I'm not "sick," though.