Flu season is hitting hard this year, with flu‑related hospitalizations already ranking among the highest seen at this point in the season in more than a decade. For anyone, that’s concerning — but for women who are pregnant, even a mild fever or sore throat can raise understandable worry.
Pregnancy changes the way the body responds to infections, and questions like “What can I safely take for a fever while pregnant?” become part of everyday decision‑making. Fortunately, there are proven, safe ways to reduce the risk of severe illness. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends the inactivated flu vaccine at any stage of pregnancy, and Nemours maternal‑fetal medicine experts emphasize that receiving the flu shot is far safer than experiencing the flu itself while expecting.
With clear guidance and evidence‑based recommendations, health care teams aim to help expecting parents feel informed, supported, and confident as they navigate flu season.
Why do pregnant women have higher risks during flu season?
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older — including pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding — get the flu vaccine each year. If you’re pregnant, it’s best to get the vaccine early in the flu season (October through May), or as soon as the vaccine is available.
There are two types of flu vaccines, one is a shot and one is a nasal mist. The flu shot contains a form of the flu virus that is inactivated (can’t cause disease) and that’s the shot that can be given to pregnant women at any time during pregnancy. The nose spray version of the flu vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women. However, it is safe for women after they have given birth, including those who are breastfeeding.
Although you can get the shot at any time, if you have a medical condition that further increases the risk of flu complications — such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or even multiples — you should think about getting the vaccine before the flu season starts.
How does the flu shot help?
Many pregnant patients try to minimize the medications they take during pregnancy out of the desire to reduce any unnecessary risk to their fetus. However, getting the flu while pregnant is so much worse than getting a vaccine, even if you get some side effects from the vaccine. And just to be clear, you cannot get the flu from getting the flu shot.
The flu vaccine does “double duty” by protecting both you and your baby. Babies cannot get the flu vaccine until they are 6 months old. However, when you get a flu shot during pregnancy, the protective antibodies made in your body are transferred to your baby. These antibodies will protect your baby against the flu until he or she is old enough to get their own vaccine.
Are flu vaccines safe for my baby?
Vaccines are developed with the highest safety standards. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves all vaccines. The CDC continues to monitor all vaccines after they are approved. They have been used for many years in millions of pregnant women and are not known to cause pregnancy problems or birth defects.
In addition, there is no scientific evidence that vaccines made with thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative, can cause autism or other health problems in babies. Thimerosal-containing vaccines do not cause autism in children born to women who received these vaccines. There is a flu vaccine made without thimerosal, but experts have not said that the thimerosal-free version is better for any particular group — including children and pregnant women.
What about Tylenol Cold and Flu while pregnant?
Fever during pregnancy increases the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) and other birth defects. Untreated pain can increase stress hormones and affect the body in other ways, all of which can negatively affect a fetus. OB-GYN and MFM specialists recommend acetaminophen for fever and pain as a way to avoid the potential complications of no treatment.
ACOG supports the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy when taken as needed, in moderation, and after talking with an OB-GYN. There have been claims that acetaminophen might be linked to autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. This has not been proven by science. Many research studies show there is no evidence that acetaminophen causes either condition.
What can my doctor do if I get the flu while pregnant?
If you think you have the flu and you are pregnant (or you have had a baby within the past 2 weeks), contact your obstetrician or other health care professional right away. Taking an antiviral medication as soon as possible is recommended. Flu symptoms may include the following:
- Fever or feeling feverish
- Chills
- Body aches
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Cough or sore throat while pregnant
- Runny or stuffy nose
Antiviral medication is available by prescription. It’s most effective when taken within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms, but there still is some benefit to taking it up to 4–5 days after symptoms start. An antiviral drug does not cure the flu, but it can shorten how long it lasts and how severe it is.
Be Safe and Talk to Your Doctor
Even if you only suspect you have the flu, it’s best to be on the safe side and contact your obstetrician or other member of your health care team. The risks of getting the flu while pregnant or recently pregnant are significant, so if you know you’ve been exposed to the flu, even if you aren’t sick, it’s possible you will be prescribed antiviral medications to reduce your likelihood of getting the flu. Be extra cautious if you know that flu is in your area.
