Pregnant and fever not coming down

[allthesharks]

I'm 15 weeks pregnant and suspect I might have flu. I've had a telephone appointment with my GP and they want to see me so I've got an appointment for this evening.

I took some paracetamol at 10am and now, an hour later, my temperature is still going up. I know a fever in pregnancy can be dangerous and, as there's nothing more I can take, I called 111 for advice. They said that I'm fine to treat the symptoms at home.

I'm just concerned about how a fever might affect the baby. I had a miscarriage in October and I've had two premature births. I'm worried that the baby could be at risk and, now that I've taken 4 doses of paracetamol since 6pm last night, I can't take anything else until 6pm tonight so I'm concerned that my temperature is going to continue to climb and I don't know at what temperature I should seek help.

I also thought that any fever not responding to medication was cause for concern but that could just be in children.

Any advice or reassurance would be much appreciated. I know I might be catastrophising.

Sorry, I thought I had said that my temp is currently 39 degrees.

I'm sorry I have no advice but I've never heard that fever can affect unborn babies, maybe I'm totally wrong but fever is just your bodies attempt to fight the virus in you.

Did you get to see your gp yet after the phone call?

I was seen by the GP, who told me to take paracetamol 2 hours earlier than I otherwise would have done. She said if my temperature wasn't under 38 half an hour later to go to A&E. It was still 38.7 so I was seen at A&E. They took bloods and they were all clear so, as there is no infection circulating in the blood, the baby isn't at risk even if my temperature remains high. That has reassured me. So it's a viral infection and just have to ride it out and take paracetamol every 6 hours.

Sounds like the flu, which is viral. I'm glad you've been seen properly and are reassured. Plenty of rest and fluids and keep up the paracetamol. I hope you feel better soon. Being sick while pregnant really sucks, I know.