Bugs

[CIng]

How careful do you need to be in pregnancy to avoid colds / flus / bugs? I’m 15 weeks and based in an office full-time and worried about the number of things that typically go round plus catching something on trains etc.

None at all

and if it’s a second or third pregnancy and you have other children at school/nursery, you would laugh yourself silly at the suggestion

Ok thanks that’s good to know, so it doesn’t pose a risk to an unborn baby? I totally appreciate that not all bugs are avoidable but just trying to understand how dangerous or not catching something can be.

Absolutely no risk at all it’s just crap for you as you can only take paracetamol.

Everyday bugs don't pose any risks. The key is to keep hydrated though.

Advice is definitely to avoid flu, that’s why they offer the flu jab to pregnant women, but colds are fine. You can get the flu jab at any point in pregnancy (not just winter). Get your whooping cough vaccine when offered too - the early symptoms are just like a cold.

Just take the usual precautions of good hand hygiene, keep the office well ventilated and if you know someone is unwell try and minimise contact with them but day to day bugs don't pose a risk unless you have underlying health issues.

I had covid in my first pregnancy, and flu in my second pregnancy and was so ill with the flu I was admitted to hospital. Both babies were fine each time.

CMV is something to avoid but most people don’t know if they have it. Symptoms are like cold symptoms. If your not routinely around small children it should be easier to avoid.