Treatment of colds and flu during pregnancy

Date: July 2024, Version 1.0

Quick read

Colds are common in pregnancy and can usually be treated at home with paracetamol and self-care measures. Pregnant women are at higher risk of flu complications and so should speak to a doctor if they think they have flu. Flu in pregnancy can be treated with antivirals and other drugs prescribed by a doctor.

Colds and flu during pregnancy

Colds and flu are caused by viruses which tend to be more common in the winter.

Colds are common during pregnancy, are usually mild and get better after a few days, and will not harm the baby.

Flu is less common than colds, but pregnant women are slightly more prone to developing flu complications such as pneumonia and are more likely to need to go into hospital. This is because of changes to the immune system and the lungs and circulation that occur, particularly in later pregnancy. Flu in pregnancy can, in rare cases, lead to preterm delivery or stillbirth.

Can I avoid colds and flu in pregnancy?

Colds and flu can be hard to avoid when they are circulating in the community.

Hygiene measures such as extra hand washing and using tissues to catch coughs and sneezes can help reduce the spread of colds and flu.

Vaccination against flu is offered during pregnancy to help reduce a pregnant woman’s chances of catching flu and experiencing complications. For more information, please see the Bumps leaflet on flu vaccination.

How do I treat a cold in pregnancy?

Colds can be treated using self-care measures such as rest and adequate fluid intake. For more information, please see the NHS A-Z leaflet on Common cold.

Paracetamol can be used for pain and fever if necessary. For more information, please see the Bumps leaflet on paracetamol in pregnancy. Ibuprofen and decongestant nasal spray, drops or tablets should be avoided in pregnancy. Please ask a pharmacist as some over-the-counter cold remedies contain a decongestant.

How do I treat flu in pregnancy?

Pregnant women who think they might have flu should speak to their doctor. They might be offered treatment with antivirals to help reduce the chance of flu complications.

Symptoms of flu can be treated at home using self-care measures such as rest and sleep, keeping warm, and adequate fluid intake. For more information, please see the NHS A-Z leaflet on Flu.

What information is there about the use in pregnancy of specific cold and flu remedies?

Lemsip®

Some Lemsip products contain a decongestant and so should be avoided in pregnancy. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.

Night Nurse®

The ingredients in Night Nurse are not known to be unsafe in pregnancy but there may be other products that are more suitable. Please ask a pharmacist for advice.

Beechams®

Some Beechams products contain aspirin and/or a decongestant and so should be avoided in pregnancy. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.

Sudafed®

Sudafed products contain a decongestant and so should be avoided in pregnancy. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.

Covonia®

Some Covonia products contain a decongestant and so should be avoided in pregnancy. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.

Benylin®

Some Benylin products contain a decongestant and so should be avoided in pregnancy. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.

Will my baby need extra monitoring during pregnancy?

As part of their routine antenatal care, most women will be offered a very detailed scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy to look for birth defects and to check the baby’s growth.

There is no evidence that taking cold and flu remedies during pregnancy causes any problems that would require extra monitoring of your baby.

Women who have been admitted to hospital with complications from flu will be offered extra pregnancy monitoring.

Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken cold and flu remedies?

We would not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father took cold or flu remedies before or around the time you became pregnant.

Who can I talk to if I have questions?

If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.

How can I help to improve drug safety information for pregnant women in the future?

Our online reporting system (MyBump Portal) allows women who are currently pregnant to create a secure record of their pregnancy, collected through a series of questionnaires. You will be asked to enter information about your health, whether or not you take any medicines, your pregnancy outcome and your child's development. You can update your details at any time during pregnancy or afterwards. This information will help us better understand how medicines affect the health of pregnant women and their babies. Please visit the MyBump Portal to register.

General information
Sadly, miscarriage and birth defects can occur in any pregnancy.

Miscarriage occurs in about 1 in every 5 pregnancies, and 1 in every 40 babies are born with a birth defect. This is called the ‘background risk’ and happens whether medication is taken or not.

Most medicines cross the placenta and reach the baby. For many medications this is not a problem. However, some medicines can affect a baby’s growth and development.

If you take regular medication and are planning to conceive, you should discuss whether your medicine is safe to continue with your doctor/health care team before becoming pregnant. If you have an unplanned pregnancy while taking a medicine, you should tell your doctor as soon as possible.

If a new medicine is suggested for you during pregnancy, please make sure that the person prescribing it knows that you are pregnant. If you have any concerns about a medicine, you can check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist.

Our Bumps information leaflets provide information about the effects of medicines in pregnancy so that you can decide, together with your healthcare provider, what is best for you and your baby.