While catching a cold or the flu (flu) can be painful, getting sick during pregnancy can be a little more worrying.
When you’re pregnant, your immune system changes to make way for your growing baby. As a result, it is more difficult for the immune system to fight off annoying infections.
If you are pregnant, you should take special steps to stay healthy during cold and flu season.
Here’s a guide to understanding how the cold or flu virus can affect you during pregnancy and how to manage the illness safely.
Understand the risks during pregnancy
Catching a cold during pregnancy won’t harm your baby, but the flu could cause more serious complications for you and your baby.
“Influenza during pregnancy can lead to premature birth and low birth weight, and can also put the newborn at higher risk of contracting the infection after birth,” said Samia Kadri, family nurse practitioner at Banner Urgent Care. “High fever caused by influenza has been linked to birth defects.”
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), if you are pregnant, especially in the second or third trimester, you are more likely to get seriously ill from the flu than people who are not pregnant.
When should you see your healthcare provider?
A cold during pregnancy can be uncomfortable, but it is not usually dangerous for you or the baby. “In general, if you feel well, you can treat colds at home and don’t need to see your provider,” Kadri said. “But if you think you have the flu, you should see your provider right away.”
Your provider may take a swab from the inside of your nose and throat to confirm that you have the flu. You may also be prescribed an antiviral medication to treat the flu.
ACOG and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that pregnant women who get influenza be treated with antiviral medications. These medications work best when started within 48 hours of symptoms starting.
“Antiviral medications do not cure influenza, but they can shorten your flu as well as its severity,” Kadri said.
Flu symptoms may include:
- High fever
- Sore throat
- Hacking cough
- Chills and sweats
- Intense pain in muscles and body.
- Feeling very tired or exhausted
Symptoms of a cold may include:
- Runny or nasal discharge (nasal congestion)
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Slight body aches
- Feeling tired
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Tips for treating cold or flu symptoms at home
During pregnancy, you should be careful about taking over-the-counter medication and only those approved by your healthcare provider. If you need some symptom relief, the following methods are safe during pregnancy:
Natural and safe home remedies for pregnancy
- Stay home and rest: Elevating your head while sleeping may help with symptoms.
- Gargle with warm salt water to help with a sore throat: Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and gargle several times a day to soothe a sore throat.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water, infusions with honey and lemon and clear broths such as chicken. Humidifiers and nasal rinses can also help clear mucus from the nose and sinuses.
- Be careful with herbs : Not all herbs and supplements are safe during pregnancy. You may be able to safely take vitamin C, zinc, and elderberry, but check with your provider first.
Over-the-counter cold and flu medicines that are safe for pregnancy
Check with your provider before taking any over-the-counter medications. Many cold and flu medicines treat many symptoms, so they may include several ingredients.
- For fevers and pain relief:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help with fever, sore throat, aches and pains. It is not certain if you are allergic or have liver problems. Limit to 3000 mg in 24 hours.
- Menthol throat lozenges
- For cough and chest congestion:
- Delsym and Robitussin (dextromethorphan) can help with coughs. Limit use of these products to the lowest concentration and for the shortest time possible.
- Mucinex (guaifenesin) is safe to use in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
- For a stuffy nose:
- Saline nasal drops or sprays: Using a saline nasal spray can help clear nasal congestion safely during pregnancy.
- Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) is safe in the second and third trimesters. Check with your provider if you have high blood pressure or a history of heart disease.
- Triaminic (chlorpheniramine), Unisom (doxylamine), and Benadryl (diphenhydramine) are considered safe during pregnancy.
- Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Claritin (loratadine) are safe for use during all trimesters.
If these do not help treat your symptoms or if your symptoms have gotten worse, talk to your healthcare provider. You may have developed a secondary infection and need treatment with an antibiotic. However, antibiotics will not cure a cold.
“There are times when an antibiotic may be appropriate, such as in the case of strep throat or a sinus infection caused by bacteria, but antibiotics simply do not work against viruses,” Kadri said. “Overprescribing antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance and side effects that can make you sicker.”
Ways to prevent cold and flu or influenza
Key actions you can take to prevent cold and flu during pregnancy include:
- Get vaccinated against influenza: The flu vaccine is safe, prevents the common flu, reduces the severity of symptoms, and reduces the ability to transmit it to others. The influenza vaccine cannot cause the flu.
- Practice good hand hygiene: wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick: If someone you live with becomes sick, try to limit the time you spend with that person. If possible, have someone else watch them.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet: Check out our list of what to eat and what to avoid during pregnancy.
- Exercise regularly: Aim for 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each day.
Bottom line
While catching a cold or flu during pregnancy can be worrying, the good news is that most pregnant women recover with proper care.
Remember to get a flu shot and give yourself some extra TLC during cold and flu or influenza season. Schedule an appointment with a Banner Urgent Care near you.
Talk to your healthcare provider or a Banner Health specialist if you have questions or concerns.