Tested positive for COVID at 23 weeks pregnant

[celebrindal16]

Hi. I had my flu jab on 17/10/2025. I was told about possible side effects, started to feel unwell couple of hours after jab. Cough, sore throat, fever. Went to my GP yesterday, told me I’ve got a viral infection, not to worry about the baby, get rest, lots of fluids and so on. Later on the same day I realised I can’t smell or taste anything. Did COVID home test and turns out it’s positive! Anyone else caught COVID right after FLU vaccine? I am aware of serious complications this virus can do to a baby so now I am freaking out.. any similar stories, please? 🙁

Flu vaccination takes up to two weeks for immunity to kick in, it isn’t a live vaccine so can’t make you ill with a cough or sore throat, but side effects can make you ache and feel under the weather. It’s likely you were already incubating it when you had the jab.

I can’t believe how few people are eligible for the covid vaccine this winter, I know there is a lot more natural immunity now that so many of us have had it, and new strains don’t seems to make the majority of people as seriously ill as past ones, but it still must be a worry. I hope you don’t feel too rotten & recover quickly

This has just happened to me! I’m 28 weeks pregnant. I got kinda better but now sick with possible chest infection. This is the worse I’ve ever been

FWIW I don't think your covid will be any worse just because you've just had the flu vaccine OP. It will be what it will be, which might depend on your pre-existing immunity and how much pregnancy has reduced that, and perhaps on how heavily you were exposed. Drink plenty of fluids and rest. I hope you feel better soon, and cannynotsay too.

Talk to a midwife or Doctor if you are worried
Friend had Covid twice in the same pregancy and her 3 year old is healthy
I think the most important thing, like any illness while pregnant is treating a high temperarure with paracetamol. Rest amd fluids

cannynotsay Same here. I was prescribed Clarithromycin antibiotics, but not started them yet as not sure if they’re safe during pregnancy. My doctor assured they are safe, but others say there are better alternatives than this and not to take in, unless absolutely necessary..