What can a pregnant lady take for a cold

From sore throats & sneezing to the flu, learn how to support yourself when you feel unwell during pregnancy

Your body will see many changes throughout your pregnancy, and a temporary adjustment to your immune system is one of them. This is all to protect you and your baby – different parts of your immune system are enhanced while others are suppressed, helping to shield baby from the risk of infection without compromising your own health. These changes also help protect your baby from your body natural defences.

Table of Contents Show

From sore throats & sneezing to the flu, learn how to support yourself when you feel unwell during pregnancy
Pain relievers
Cough suppressants
Antihistamines
Decongestants
Natural remedies

As your immune system is now working hard to support the two of you, the chances of catching a common cold are higher during pregnancy.

The common 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 GP 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 which medicines are suitable for you to take.

When to seek medical advice

See your GP, midwife or call 111 for advice 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

As your body's immune system is working harder to support both you and your baby during pregnancy, this means you become more vulnerable to developing complications. Catching flu while you're pregnant can also seriously affect your baby.

For this reason, NHS advice is that all pregnant women should receive 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 GP about getting the free flu jab, as they should be able to provide it. You can also check if your local pharmacist offers the free flu vaccination, or if your midwife can provide it.

Treating flu while you're pregnant

If you're pregnant and you think you have flu, see your GP immediately. Your GP may be able to prescribe medicines to help reduce the risk of flu complications, but they should be taken soon

Next steps after symptoms appear

• 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, NHS advice is that all pregnant women should have the flu jab

• If you're pregnant and think you have flu, you should see your GP immediately

Catching a cold during pregnancy will not harm the fetus, but it can be uncomfortable for the person who is pregnant, and they may also worry about which treatments and medications they can use safely.

Colds are very common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that adults have an average of 2–3 colds per year.

The chances of catching a cold while pregnant are higher because the immune system is less robust during pregnancy.

According to March of Dimes, catching a cold will not harm a developing fetus, and the pregnant person will typically recover in a week or so.

People are also more likely to catch potentially more serious infections, such as the flu, during pregnancy. This means that taking steps to prevent illness is important during pregnancy.

This article looks at what to consider when treating the symptoms of a cold during pregnancy, how to prevent a cold, and when to see a doctor.

Treating a cold usually means using over-the-counter (OTC) medications. However, many pregnant people worry about whether drugs will affect the fetus.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend always talking to a doctor before using any pain medication during pregnancy.

Most OTC drugs contain the same few ingredients to treat cold symptoms. The following sections look at the safety of different types of cold treatments.

Pain relievers

Pain relievers are a group of drugs that reduce pain. Some types also reduce inflammation and fever.

OTC pain medications include:

acetaminophen, under brand names such as Tylenol
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin

Research suggests that acetaminophen is the safest pain relief drug to use during pregnancy, with recommendations to use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest time.

An article published in American Family Physician (AFP) reports acetaminophen to be safe to use during all trimesters on its own, but not necessarily in combination with other cold remedies that contain a range of other ingredients.

However, the article states that NSAIDs may carry risks. They recommend avoiding aspirin during pregnancy except for specific uses and avoiding naproxen and ibuprofen during the third trimester.

Prescription drugs tend to be stronger than OTC drugs and are more likely to carry risks.

The FDA note that prescription NSAIDs may increase the risk of pregnancy loss during the first half of pregnancy and that prescription opioids may increase the risk of birth abnormalities when taken in the first trimester.

Severe and persistent pain can lead to serious effects, such as high blood pressure, depression, and anxiety. It is important to weigh the benefits of taking pain relief drugs during pregnancy against the potential risks.

Always talk to a healthcare professional before deciding to take any medication that relieves pain during pregnancy.

Cough suppressants

OTC cough suppressants often contain medications such as dextromethorphan and guaifenesin.

According to the AFP, these medications appear to be safe during pregnancy in the correct doses. However, it may be best to consider drug-free options as the first line of defense.

For example, before using a cough suppressant medication, people can try using herbal or mentholated throat lozenges to ease a cough or sore throat.

Read more about natural cough remedies here.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are a popular allergy medication that may relieve a runny nose, watery eyes, or sneezing caused by a cold.

Up to 15% of people use antihistamines during pregnancy, and experts generally consider them safe.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACCAI), people can use the following during pregnancy:

diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
chlorpheniramine (ChlorTrimeton)
loratadine (Claritin)
cetirizine (Zyrtec)

Most OTC antihistamines are safe to take in pregnancy as long as a doctor approves them.

Read about some natural antihistamines here.

Decongestants

According to one source, it is safe to take decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine, when directed by a healthcare provider.

However, research has not yet established that decongestants are safe during pregnancy. Some studies suggest that some decongestants, including pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, may increase the risk of birth abnormalities.

The overall evidence suggests that people use decongestants sparingly during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.

Saline nasal sprays and nasal strips are safe alternatives for nasal congestion.

Natural remedies

Resting while sick is important to give the body time to focus on recovery. Lying down with the head elevated may help with breathing and stuffiness.

Drinking plenty of water can help people recover from a cold. Juices and smoothies can also provide nutritional intake when people have no appetite.

Many people also use room humidifiers to help clear a stuffy nose and promote a productive cough.

Applying warm compresses to the head, sinuses, and shoulders may help reduce pain and congestion.

Read more about natural remedies for a cold or flu here.

People are also more likely to catch colds and the flu during pregnancy, so it is important to take steps to prevent illness.

To prevent the common cold, the CDC recommend:

washing the hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when this is not possible
avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands because viruses that cause colds can enter the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth
staying away from people who are sick as close contact with others can spread cold viruses.

Light to moderate pregnancy-safe exercises, such as swimming and indoor cycling, can boost the immune system and increase metabolism.

Healthful eating is another important factor in preventing a cold. Focusing on eating a variety of fresh foods can help ensure the body gets the nutrients it needs.

Taking a prenatal vitamin that includes zinc and vitamin C may also help support the immune system and prevent colds.

Many people experience pregnancy rhinitis, which has symptoms similar to a cold.

This occurs due to inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes in the nose, extra fluid in the body, and changing hormone levels.

Pregnancy rhinitis occurs in around 20% of people. Some people may find it difficult to distinguish rhinitis from a common cold.

The symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis include:

a runny nose
congestion
sneezing
difficulty breathing
snoring

A cold during pregnancy is the same as any other cold. The common cold is not likely to not harm the mother or fetus.

People may catch a cold or flu from being around others who are sick. The CDC provide guidance on how to avoid catching the flu.

It is important to know the difference between a cold and the flu. The two have similar symptoms, but the flu tends to be more severe, and a person will usually have a fever.

Read more about pregnancy and the flu here.

If someone experiences a fever during pregnancy, they should contact their doctor to see what steps they can take to reduce the fever to safe levels as quickly as possible.

Having a cold during pregnancy will not usually affect the fetus. Colds are mild illnesses that a person’s immune system can handle relatively easily.

However, the person’s temperature and infections can affect the fetus. If a person is experiencing a fever or other signs of infection, it is essential to speak with a doctor immediately to find the best way to reduce these symptoms.

When a person is pregnant, their body deals with a cold in much the same way as it does at any other time. The symptoms are temporary, and in most cases, the cold will be gone in 7–10 days.

If someone experiences the following symptoms during pregnancy, they should talk to a doctor right away:

a fever of over 100.4° F
severe or unusual symptoms
symptoms that last more than 10 days
symptoms of the flu
violent coughing that makes it hard to breathe

Colds are very common during pregnancy, and they are unlikely to harm the pregnant person or fetus.

While there are some uncertainties over the safety of OTC cold remedies during pregnancy, most people can relieve their symptoms using gentle home remedies. Most people will feel better in around a week.