FLu

[el_doll]

Hi, It seems that I caught a flu. I am in my 27th week of pregnancy, I have a sore throught, I am coughing for now, a bit of chest pain.

Would that affect the baby !  Can I take medicine off shelf

Thank you

[cpatow]

so I just got this email....it maybe a folk lore / myth thing, but my neighbor tried it and SWEARS it works. To stop a cough get Vicks Vapor Rub and rub the bottom of your feet with it (yes, your feet) and the put your feet in socks. My neighbor said it stopped her child's cough in 10 minutes. Totally don't know if this works but I believe Vick's is okay in pregnancy, and I know for sure sock use is :-). Try it and let me know!

[honey1982]

i would say take a salt water solution to stop cough and irritationa. and suck on a raw lemon and you could also drink hot tea to break up any mucus in your chest as well as chicken noodle sooup to soothe the chest. but never take any medication before consulting the doc. you may need to go outside to get some fresh air to help witht the flu. not as long time like mayber 10 minutes we get colds from being inside and not getting exposed to fresh air. all of those germs and dust trapped in the house. i am a certiofied medical assistant i know it might sound strange for me to be telling you to go outside but believe me it works. my mother use to take use outside we were kids and we didint get sick as much as my other cousins who never really came outside as kids just 10 minutes and thats it well good luck.

[mlb1234]

I think you are just supposed to try to stay hydrated and eat small meals.  I do not think the flu bug itself will harm the baby - it's just that if you get the flu it is hard to keep anything down and of course that would not be optimum for the baby especially since baby is growing so much at that stage.  I would not take any flu medicine before talking to your doctor.  Since you are 27 weeks I am sure they would like to know if you have the flu or not.