fever at 5 weeks of pregnancy

[mandybagpuss]

Hi I have had a fever since Saturday which has peaked at about 38.5, I have been taking paracetamol and today started antibiotics. I am beside myself with worry as I am only 5 weeks pregnant, my doctor was kind and told me to try and not worry. Has anyone got anything positive to suggest? Thanks so much

Just keep on using the paracetamol and drink plenty of fluids, it'll soon pass

I had a horrendous temp at about 9 weeks, I was so hot yet so cold and constantly sweating. I was convinced no baby could survive me being that ill! It did, and I'm almost 17 weeks

Try not to worry, I know it's hard but nearly everyone at some point in their pregnancy has a raging temp! x

Do you have any other symptoms of the common cold aside from the fever? Runny nose, sneezing, coughing, etc...

Why are you on antibiotics?

I was on antibiotics and taking paracetamol for over a week and in severe pain with a very bad gum infection when I was 5/6 wks pg, and I will be 18 weeks tomorrow! I was so worried as sometimes I was taking the next paracetamol dose before I was allowed (you're meant to take them every 4 hours) because the pain was so bad, but I'm fine now and nuchal scan and 12 week scan have all been fine! Don't worry, it's better you take the AB's and get rid of whatever you have than not and let the infection spread..

I had a v bad chest infection with persistent high temp at about 9 weeks (now 30 weeks), took paracetamol but didnt do anything for temp so got antibiotics which brought it down nicely.

Dont worry about the Paracetamol and the Antibiotics (as long as you tell the prescriber and pharmacist you are pregnant so they can make sure you're on safe ones). Taking these meds is preferable to a fever when pregnant

mandy i just posted exact same thing! I'm five weeks too, well two days short of that, and have had a fever for over a week. i had a chesty cough too but it seems much better so i don't understand why i've still got the temperature. it's depressing isn't it. i'm sure we'll be fine, it would just be nice to be feeling in better health. anyway, good to see your reassuring replies. All the best!

Thanks everyone for replies, the antibiotics are to stop the infection, I had a bad cold also sneezing etc, anyway day two of antibiotics and its already going yay, fingers crossed eveything will be ok, Thanks again.

mandy - I asked why you are on antibiotics, because the common cold is caused by a virus and antibiotics are useless. Unless you have a chesty cough or another indication of a chest/throat infection, antibiotics might be unnecessary. Sneezing is a sign of cold (virus). Heavy coughing would be more the kind of infection that requires an antibiotic.

I had quite a bad fever at 17 weeks (now at 23 weeks) and what doctor & hospital said was:
(1) we only worry when there is only fever and no other indication of a cold (like sneezing, runny nose, etc) because that could mean you have caught salmonella or a similar dangerous infection.
(2) fever is only dangerous for baby if persistent for a few days, which is why you need to take paracetamol regularly
(3) take showers & do cold towel compress on head, arms, & legs to bring temperature down

I hope that helps.

I second CoteDAzur re: anti biotics amd he comon cold. It'snormal to get a slight temp with a normal old and is not a sign of infection on it's own. 38.5 is not even considered a fever - just a slight rise in temp which again is normal and is the body's way of fighting off the virus and certainly will not hurt a 5 week old embryo

Taking ab's when not needed however will eventually lower the body's natural resistance to illness.

@mandybagpuss How did everything turn out for you?