A cold is a viral infection that causes a range of symptoms, including:
• A sore throat
• Headaches
• A blocked or runny nose
• A high temperature
• Sneezing
• Loss of taste or smell
Colds usually come on gradually, and you'll start feeling better in a week or two.
Getting a cold while you're pregnant
Generally speaking, getting a cold while you're pregnant is unlikely to be serious, and you won't need to see your Doctor or midwife. Get as much rest as you can, drink plenty of fluids and aim to eat a healthy and balanced diet.
Treating a cold while you're pregnant
To help relieve your headache and throat pain, and to help reduce a high temperature, you can consider taking paracetamol. Paracetamol is generally considered safe for use at all stages of pregnancy. As with any medicine, you should take the lowest dose needed, for the shortest amount of time required. If you have any questions, your pharmacist can offer advice
Cold & flu medicines
These often contain paracetamol alongside other ingredients, which may not be suitable in pregnancy. Some contain ibuprofen, which is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Speak to your pharmacist to understand what medicines are safest for you to take.
When to seek medical advice
See your Doctor, midwife if:
• Your symptoms don't improve after three weeks
• Your symptoms get suddenly worse
• Your temperature's very high (38°C or above) or you feel hot and shivery
• You're finding it hard to breathe
• Your chest hurts
Symptoms of flu
Influenza, or flu, is different from a cold and can be much more serious. It comes on quickly (over a few hours) and the symptoms include:
• A high temperature
• Headache and muscle aches
• Severe exhaustion
• A dry cough
• Difficulty sleeping
• Stomach pain, sickness or diarrhoea
Getting flu while you're pregnant
When you're pregnant, your body's immune system is naturally weaker. This means you're more vulnerable to developing complications. Catching flu while you're pregnant can also seriously affect your baby.
For this reason, you should consult your Doctor about receiving the flu jab. The flu jab doesn't offer 100 percent protection from the flu as it's designed to protect you and your baby against certain strains, but it greatly reduces your risk of catching it. If you catch a strain of flu that the vaccination doesn't protect you against, it should still shorten the length and severity of your illness.
Studies have shown that the flu jab is safe at all stages of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to your expected due date. Speak to your Doctor about getting the flu jab, as they should be able to provide it.
Treating flu while you're pregnant
If you're pregnant and you think you have flu, see your Doctor immediately. Your Doctor may be able to prescribe medicines to help reduce the risk of flu complications, but they must be taken soon after symptoms appear.
Next steps
• If you catch a cold while you're pregnant, you can consider simple paracetamol to help relieve your symptoms
• Flu in pregnancy can cause serious complications for you and your baby. For this reason, it is advisable that all pregnant women should have the flu jab
• If you're pregnant and think you have flu, you should see your Doctor immediately