Is influenza safe in pregnancy?

Pregnancy changes the immune and breathing systems, which can make influenza harder to tolerate. Fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and exhaustion may be accompanied by dehydration or breathing difficulty. Influenza can also make existing asthma or other health problems harder to control. The illness itself and the medicines used for it both need consideration, so do not rely on general advice about non-prescription products without checking suitability.

Contact your maternity team, GP or another clinician promptly when influenza is suspected, even if symptoms initially seem manageable. Rest, drink regularly and monitor breathing and your ability to keep fluids down. Ask before taking fever, cough or cold medicines, and follow the treatment plan provided for pregnancy. Limit close contact with people who are unwell and wash hands often.

Seek urgent help for difficulty breathing, chest pain, fainting, severe weakness, confusion, inability to keep fluids down, reduced urine, or a fever that is not settling with the plan given by your clinician. Later in pregnancy, contact maternity services urgently if you notice reduced fetal movement or other pregnancy-specific concerns.

Ask which treatment is suitable, how to manage fever, which medicines to avoid, when to attend maternity assessment, and how influenza prevention fits your pregnancy care.