Cold and flu season is now here

As we get into the winter months, cold and flu season has arrived. It is very common to get respiratory viruses during the winter season.

The flu vaccination is an important way of preventing getting the flu during winter. It is highly recommended for pregnant women, and available for free from your GP. The flu can make women more sick during pregnancy, and can also increase the risk of complications like preterm birth. See here for more information about this.

Other common colds and viruses are also very common. Generally most head colds and other viral infections are not particularly dangerous, however it can take a bit longer to get over them compared to when not pregnant.

Whilst pregnant it is important to avoid getting a fever, so if you feel feverish then it is important to take some regular paracetamol- two tablets up to 4 times per day, maximum eight tablets per day. Paracetamol is safe to take for short periods of time during pregnancy.

Cough medicine is generally safe to take during pregnancy at the amount recommended on the packet.

Other cold and flu tablets are best avoided when pregnant. It is safe to use Vicks vapour drops and similar, and saline nasal sprays. Also throat lozenges such as Buttermenthol and Anticol etc are safe to take as well.

Taking a vitamin C and a vitamin D supplement also on a daily basis may help boost your immunity and reduce the severity of cold and flu symptoms.

Mothersafe also has some useful information about this, please see here.

Also a reminder of viruses to be careful of when pregnant:
- chickenpox if you are not immune,
- rubella (German measles) if you are not immune,
- slapped cheek sickness, also known as parvovirus. This sometimes go through childcare centres so be aware if you have other children. You should contact us if you think you have been exposed.
- CMV virus, which is also a common childhood virus which gives kids a runny nose and cold type symptoms. It's important to practice good hand hygiene if you have a toddler who is sick with a virus. See here for more information about this.

Hand foot-and-mouth sickness is a common childhood virus and rare for adults to get, but is not dangerous for pregnant women.