Flu and pregnancy

[Madisonashort]

Hi, I’m 12 weeks pregnant and have the flu. What can I take that will help with my symptoms as I know I am restricted? I have a cough and a sore throat, my eyes and head hurt and I have a temperature.

thank you in advance

Urgh sorry, that's hard. Best source might be https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/leaflets-a-z/colds-and-flu/
Which is linked to from the NHS.
Basically paracetamol based medicines ok but watch out for decongestants. Some combined tablets also have caffeine which you might want to restrict.

I'm 6 weeks and also have the flu 😪 I've basically learned that you can't have cough syrup, or lemsip. All you can really do is take paracetamol and pray.

Keep your temp under control at all times, that's most important in pregnancy. Regular paracetamol as per instructions. Did you get your flu vaccine, is it definitely confirmed flu? Flu in pregnancy can be dangerous. If known confirmed flu, I would contact your hospital to touch base and get official advice. Hope you feel better soon.

I'm not OP, but I went hospital as I was having bad flu symptoms as well as some other issues, told them I was pregnant and they said, and I quote "we can't cure the flu". Was very disappointed.

Yes unfortunately just paraceetamol really. I’m currently suffering from a bad cold that my toddler gave me on Xmas eve. Im now 23 weeks pregnant. I have a bad cough that’s getting worse. I read that you can also take halls soothers that have no drugs in them but since it’s just a boiled sweet it didn’t help at all. I just wasted money trying them.

Before pregnancy I would now be taking beechams all in one the maximum amount possible and that usually stops my cold in its track. Instead I’m on day 4 and just feeling worse.

I had a bad cold at 9-11 weeks of pregnancy and by day 10 my cough was so bad I was being sick from it. Ended up at the doctors and then on antibiotics. I’m hoping this time I can skip that part and miraculously improve.

That's disappointing. Did they swab you to confirm flu? And was it maternity hospital?If you're very unwell with it, as in vital signs concerning, uncontrolled temps, issues breathing or any issue with baby's heart rate they should admit and treat with Oseltamivir. They're right as such there's no cure, Oseltamivir will just prevent the flu multiplying. Prevention is the best route through vaccine though. Lots of pregnant women will be OK treating flu at home, but many every year are hospitalised with it as it can be very nasty in pregnancy due to being immunocompromised.

@remaininghopeful23 I was sent to the hospital due to cramping, and a tight feeling in my chest. When i said that I thought I had the flu, she told me it was irrelevant, as I had booked in complaining of cramps (even tho I told her ambulance team sent me here due to the pressure in my chest) and that they couldn't cure the flu. All of my vitals were fine, and they just sent me off with a healthy scan and some anti sickness medicine. After spending 6 hours there, feeling horrible, I didn't put up much of a fight and left. I'm now at home just resting with the flu.

I’ve actually just got back from the hospital having been confirmed to have flu - the local doc sent me to A&E after diagnosing me with a respiratory tract infection and was worried about a blood clot, but turns out it’s flu! Obstetrics saw me an hour or so into my wait and been prescribed with Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) twice a day for 10 days. I’m 34 weeks pregnant so maybe that’s why they have prescribed but always worth going to the hospital to get tested and see if they can help!

This is good to know, I'm suffering with something atm, either flu or rsv I'm not sure. I didn't think the hospital would be able to do anything so I've just been managing the fever with paracetamol. I'm also 34 weeks so going to ask about Oseltamivir tomorrow.