Staying Healthy Print How to Treat a Cold or Flu in Pregnancy Medically reviewed by facebook linkedin instagram Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD on March 22, 2016 Anita Sadaty, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at North Shore University Hospital and founder of Redefining Health Medical. Learn about our Medical Review Board Anita Sadaty, MD Written by twitter linkedin Written by Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH is a professor, author, childbirth and postpartum educator, certified doula, and lactation counselor. Learn about our editorial policy Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH Updated on August 08, 2019 Photo © Image Source/Getty Images More in Pregnancy Staying Healthy Weeks and Trimesters Your Body Your Baby Twins or More Complications & Concerns Pregnancy Loss Prenatal Care Preparing for Baby Labor and Delivery View All Getting a cold or even the flu when you're pregnant isn't an impossibility. In fact, it could be your reality. Being pregnant can actually lower your immune system making it more likely that you get sick while pregnant. But don't panic, here are some flu treatments in pregnancy that you can do to feel better faster: Are You Stuffed Up? Try nasal rinses, like the store-bought saline solutions. This will help you clear your congestion. You can also go into your bathroom and run the shower on high heat, but don't get wet — just allow the steam to penetrate clogged sinus passages. Stay Hydrated Even if you don't feel like eating, be sure to stay well hydrated. When you can eat try to eat well. Staying hydrated can also help stave off contractions that could possibly lead to preterm labor — purely from dehydration. This can be a real risk when pregnant, so even small sips of fluids will be a good thing. Rest While sleeping may be difficult, try to lay down and rest. If you can sleep, try to get a nap. If you are having difficulty breathing when lying down consider propping yourself up with some pillows to ease your breathing. Sore Throat If your throat hurts, tea can be very comforting to your sore throat. It has tannins in it that can help soothe your throat. You can also add honey for added comfort. Watch specialty teas, they have herbs that may or may not be safe in pregnancy. Check with your doctor or midwife first before using any products like that to treat your symptoms. Medications Be sure to check any over the counter medications or herbal remedy with your doctor or midwife before taking it. While some may be safe for pregnancy, others are not. Your practitioner is the best judge of whether or not a product is safe for you to consume in pregnancy. For instance, you are usually able to take acetaminophen, but not necessarily ibuprofen or aspirin. There are some medications given for the flu, they may or may not be appropriate for you. Can You Prevent Colds and the Flu? While you can't prevent every cold or sniffle, remember that the best offense is a good defense. Wash your hands, avoid people who are ill and take care of yourself by eating well and getting enough rest. Avoid people who are sick, even if they are in your family. Do not drink or eat after others. Become a germaphobe — it will serve you well. You have to remember that pregnant women are more likely to have complications from the flu. This can lead to an increased risk to mom and baby, including the likelihood that you will die from the flu. Rare, but it does happen. Flu Shots Flu shots are considered safe in pregnancy. In fact, flu shots can sometimes offer flu immunity to your baby after birth. This is a great reason to consider getting the flu shot, even while pregnant. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pregnancy and Influenza. December 15, 2015. Laibl VR, Sheffield JS. Influenza and pneumonia in pregnancy. Clin Perinatol. 2005 Sep;32(3):727-38. Continue Reading