Flu in late pregnancy? Can anything be done?

[Weebeastiebaby]

I am 40 weeks pregnant tomorrow. Went overdue with DC1 and haven’t had any signs on labour so I’m not expecting dc2 to arrive imminently but have had the most awful cold/flu for the past week. Headache and muscle pain are starting to go but my throat is getting more and more painful. It looks red/yellow in the mirror but no swelling as far as I can see. I had the midwife earlier in the week who told me this bug was doing the rounds but didn’t suggest anything. I’ve been taking paracetamol every 4 hours for days now which I was never keen to do but can’t cope without. Paracetamol is not helping the pain in my throat any more and it’s becoming hard to swallow anything. Temp is normal although I feel sweaty and warm. I’m just not sure how long to leave it and rest/fluids/paracetamol etc before seeing a dr? I don’t like to bother them as they’re swamped with winter illnesses and I’m not sure a sore throat is an “emergency”
Any advice/experience? Anything else I can take at home? Not sure if it’s an antibiotics job?

Poor you! A lot of sore throats are viral so antibiotics wouldn’t help. You could try gargling some salt water maybe? Also you can get numbing throat sprays that might make eating and drinking tolerable-need to chat to a pharmacist and make sure they’re safe for pregnancy. Hope you feel better soon.

It doesn't sound like flu so I wouldn't be too worried. I'd try another few days of rest, salt water gargling and ginger/lemon/honey tea (like not from the tea bag with actual fresh ginger, lemon juice and honey) several times a day and see how you feel. It's very likely viral and the sore throat is irritation from your nasal passages draining out the infection. It's awful, but unless you have a fever or trouble breathing, I probably wouldn't risk the GP as you may come out having picked up something worse.

I had flu at Christmas and the midwife said there's nothing I could do except take paracetamol and drink fluids.

Hiya, I had exactly the same thing and kept getting told it was a 'bug' or a 'viral infection' went to the doctors 4 times until I couldn't take it anymore and called 111. They sent me to urgent care who sent me straight to a ward in hospital because I had untreated acute tonsillitis. Was in for two nights with antibiotic drips. Paracetamol and so on we're doing nothing for me at home, and I had no white spots on my tonsils. Infant the day I went into hospital my throat wasn't even hurting my jaw and sinus were. Hope you get better soon xxxxx

I also had a normal temp every time I went to the doctors xxx

Manuka honey will help a sore throat.

I had the same thing over Christmas. What helped (after trying everything else) was Covonia throat spray. GP also recommended ice lollies, but spray was enough to help. Good luck with delivery op hope all goes well. Get better soon.

When you say you’ve been taking paracetamol every four hours for days does that mean you’ve regularly been taking more than 4 doses in 24 hours? If you have then it’s worth calling your maternity unit to discuss it with them because that would mean you’ve had a slight overdose of paracetamol. You could also then check what over the counter type stuff you can take to help you feel more comfortable. And if they thought you needed to see a doctor they might ask you to come in for a checkup.

I hope you feel better soon. It’s rotten being ill when you’re pregnant.

No, I haven’t exceeded the maximum 4g in 24 hours. Thanks for all the advice. I’ll see about getting a throat spray although I think pharmacists can be very cautious about what they sell to pregnant women. If it’s still as painful tomorrow I may phone nhs 24 and see about getting a gp appointment because am feeling really miserable atm.