What should you know about fever while pregnant?

Respiratory infections such as the common cold, COVID-19, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, or croup may cause fever during pregnancy. Chickenpox, cellulitis, and brucellosis are other possible conditions with their own risks and treatments. Fever is a symptom, not a diagnosis, so the stage of pregnancy, temperature pattern, accompanying symptoms, travel, exposure, and existing health problems should be considered. Prompt assessment helps identify infections that may need specific care.

Contact your maternity team, midwife, doctor, or pharmacist for advice about the fever and any medicine before starting treatment. Drink fluids, rest, wear light clothing, and record temperature readings and symptoms. Check labels carefully because combination cold remedies may contain ingredients you do not intend to take. Do not use leftover antibiotics or someone else’s prescription. Mention reduced ability to drink, urinary symptoms, cough, rash, pain, or reduced fetal movement when speaking with a clinician.

Seek emergency care for trouble breathing, fainting, confusion, a seizure, a stiff neck, severe headache, or a rapidly spreading rash. Contact your maternity service promptly for persistent or worsening fever, severe abdominal or pelvic pain, painful urination, repeated vomiting, dehydration, vaginal bleeding, fluid leakage, contractions, or reduced fetal movement. Do not wait for a routine appointment when you feel significantly unwell.

What could be causing this fever, and do I need an examination or test? Which fever and cold medicines are suitable at my stage of pregnancy? Which symptoms should take me directly to urgent care?