7 weeks pregnant and sick with the flu :(

[paigeleeforever182]

Hi everyone, I am 7 weeks pregnant and believe I am catching the flu :( I have a runny nose/sore throat/POUNDING headaches/and just overall week. Also think I do have a fever as I’m constantly hot/cold. Normally if I have a headache (I’ve had a lot due to hormones during this pregnancy) I’ll just wait it out or sleep it off. But today I couldn’t take it anymore, I took extra strength acetomphanic (500 mg) and know that’s one of the only medicines that is safe to take during pregnancy. Waited a couple hours, and took another one. Just thought it was a regular migraine at first. Now it appears more flu symptoms are showing up, and i’m Worried now As to what to do. Being this early in pregnancy (also had a previous mc at 7 weeks last year) I don’t wanna be taking acetaminophen left and right every single day because I feel it’s unsafe. Anyone else had the same issues and what was safe to treat the flu? Feeling absolutely miserable. Just wanna feel better!! :(

[IThinkSoYes]

Give out of hours a ring - they'll be able to advise you. There may be prescription-only things you can take.

Plenty of fluids also - just drink as much as you can.

Hope you feel better soon!

[skippykips]

Call Drs, not sure in medication they can give whilst pregnant.
But as @IThinkSoYes says, you need fluids! Lots of fluids. Do not let yourself get dehydrated. Try and eat. Even if its just fruit, melon is high content water.
And rest, do not push yourself! Do what your body is telling you.

Hope you feel better soon. Having a cold is bad enough when you are pregnant. The flu, I have never had, but pregnancy and flu sounds like a nightmare!

[Buxbaum]

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is considered safe in pregnancy. Just make a note of each dose to make sure that you don't go over the safe limit. NHS advises that this is eight 500mg tablets in any 24 hr period, spaced every 4-6 hours.

Don't take any other OTC cold or flu remedies. The decongestants are not advised in pregnancy and they often contain paracetamol so you could accidentally overdose.

Otherwise masses of fluids and rest.

[Sunshinegirl82]

My understanding is that it's better to take paracetamol (which is safe) than it is to have a high temperature. I would speak to your midwife for reassurance. Rest and plenty of fluids.

[CrabbyPatty]

My advice would be to contact out of hours as soon as you can. Current guidance is for antivirals to be prescribed to pregnant women with flu. I had a bit of a debate with my GP around this though.

[Buxbaum]

Are you in the UK, OP? Your mention of acetaminophen has me wondering.

[0310Star]

I had the flu twice in early pregnancy (started around 7 weeks) and I'm sorry to say they will just tell you to drink plenty of fluids, probably the most important part, and take paracetamol. They aren't keen on giving anything during the first 12 weeks, and that was the advice of my midwife, 111, doctor and a+e. I only ended up going to a+e because the symptoms got so bad and I was struggling to cope around 3 weeks in but again they will just tell you to ride it out and get your jab once you're better. I'd also stick with a multivitamin too as that will help with your immune system.

The best bit of advice I can give you is make sure you rest until it's completely gone, that's where I went wrong as I went back to work too early and ended up getting it again and it took a long time to get my immune system back up, I was ill for almost 2 months in total.

[Koete]

@0310Star can I ask how did your pregnancy (and birth?) go after having the flu? I’m 7 weeks pregnant, foolishly went into work, which probably made it worse. Now I am resting up at home but have fevers and chills. I’m worried that there is a risk of neural tube defects as a result of my fever. Most things I read say that there is a risk to the foetus from the mother having a fever. Any insights are gratefully appreciated.

[Dreamingofkfc]

I had the flu with this pregnancy when I was about 6 weeks. I rang the GP and they weren't interested. Just said plenty of fluid, paracetamol and rest - although I wasn't able to physically do anything but lie there as I was in agony. Rest of my pregnancy has been fine.

[gryffen]

Yup had same but clear difference between flu and colds - you probably just have a bad cold as your immune system is weaker in pregnancy.

Fluids, paracetamol, remember to eat at least something and also fresh air.