Pregnancy and the flu

Furthermore, vitamin C increases immunity, helping to fight inflammation and sore throats more quickly, improving sore throat. Check out a complete list of foods with vitamin C that you can incorporate into your diet.

Sore Throat While Pregnant: 8 Natural Home Remedies

A sore throat while pregnant can be treated with simple home remedies, such as gargling with warm water and salt and drinking ginger tea with lemon. You can also eat foods that are rich vitamin C, such as oranges or tangerines, as these can help to increase the body’s defenses and help fight inflammation or infection faster.

A sore throat during pregnancy can be caused by viral infections, such as the flu or cold, or bacterial infections, but it can also be a sign of allergies, sinusitis or gastroesophageal reflux.

Normally, with home remedies, throat inflammation improves in about 3 days. However, if the symptoms persist, are intense or present with a fever, pus in the throat or difficulty swallowing, you should consult your obstetrician or ENT specialist to identify the cause of the sore throat and advise the most appropriate treatment.

Natural ways to treat sore throat during pregnancy

A sore throat while pregnant can be treated with home remedies that help relieve pain and inflammation in the throat and include:

1. Warm salt water gargle

Gargling warm salt water has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects that help to soothe a sore throat and remove the bacteria that can inflammation and infection in the throat.

To gargle with warm salt water, place a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and stir. Gargle several times a day.

Gargling with warm water and salt does not harm the baby and should be done with caution if you have high blood pressure or if you were advised to be on a low salt. In these cases, it is recommended to consult your obstetrician before gargling.

2. Ginger tea with lemon

Ginger tea with lemon has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It can relieve pain and decrease the production of inflammatory substances, such as prostaglandins, as well as boost immunity.

Ginger tea can be taken during pregnancy, as long as you do not exceed 1 gram of dry ginger root per day for a maximum period of 4 days. Learn more about the health benefits of ginger and how to take it.

Ingredients

• one 4 cm peel of lemon
• 1 cm of ginger
• 2 cups of boiling water.

Directions

Place the lemon peel and the ginger in 2 cups of boiling water, let it cool and drink 2 cups of tea, divided into two doses per day.

Ginger tea should be avoided if you are close to childbirth, or in women with a history of miscarriage, clotting problems or who are at risk of bleeding.

3. Room humidifier

You can humidify the environment by placing a basin or bucket with warm water in each room of the house. This is an excellent way to relieve a sore throat, as inhaling water particles in the environment can keep the airways more hydrated and reduce irritation. This can help you to eliminate phlegm and relieve a sore throat.

This tip is especially useful at night, as it can make it easier to sleep and prevent wake-ups from a stuffy nose.

Another way to humidify the environment is to use a humidifying device. However, care must be taken not to use the humidifier excessively, as excessive humidity can lead to the growth of mold in the environment and cause allergies.

4. Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea, made from the medicinal plant Matricaria recutita, is rich in phenolic compounds such as apigenin, quercetin and patuletin. It contains anti-inflammatory properties that help to relieve sore throats during pregnancy.

It is important to check the type of chamomile used, as there are two types, and chamomile tea prepared with the Matricaria recutita species can be used safely during pregnancy. However, Roman chamomile of the Chamaemelum nobile species should not be used during pregnancy as it can cause uterine contractions.

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers
• 250 mL of boiling water

Directions

Add the dried chamomile flowers to a cup of boiling water, cover, and let it steep for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain and drink.

This tea can be taken 3 times a day, or sipped throughout the day. Sweetening with honey helps to hydrate the throat and can also relieve pain. However, honey should be avoided by pregnant women who are allergic to honey, propolis or pollen.

5. Pomegranate juice with honey

Pomegranate has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action that helps to disinfect the throat and reduce inflammation. Honey works to lubricate the throat and reduce pain.

Ingredients

• Pulp of 1 pomegranate
• 1 glass of wate
• 1 teaspoon of honey.

Directions

Blend the pomegranate pulp, water and honey in a blender. Pour into a glass, stir well and then drink. Pomegranate juice with honey can be consumed once a day.

6. Pomegranate tea

Another way to use pomegranate is to make tea to relieve sore throat symptoms as it has anti-inflammatory action and helps eliminate microorganisms that may be causing inflammation.

Pomegranate seed tea, made with the red seeds contained inside the fruit, is considered safe during pregnancy. They are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, folate and iron.

However, tea made from pomegranate flowers, leaves, seeds or peel is contraindicated during pregnancy, as it can cause uterine contractions and miscarriage.

Ingredients

• Pomegranate seeds
• 1 cup of boiling water

Directions

Wash and sanitize the pomegranate well, cut it in half and remove the seeds. Then, crush the pomegranate seeds, and take 1 teaspoon of the crushed berries and add it to the cup of boiling water. Cover the cup for 15 minutes. Drink 1 cup of pomegranate tea per day.

This tea should be avoided by pregnant women who use anticoagulant or high blood pressure medications, or by women with a history of gastritis, stomach ulcers, hypotension or allergies to pomegranates. These populations should consult their obstetrician before drinking the tea.

7. Foods rich in vitamin C

Foods rich in vitamin C, such as strawberries, oranges or broccoli, for example, have antioxidant properties. They help to fight free radicals that can cause cellular damage and inflammation.

Furthermore, vitamin C increases immunity, helping to fight inflammation and sore throats more quickly, improving sore throat. Check out a complete list of foods with vitamin C that you can incorporate into your diet.

The daily dose of vitamin C for pregnant women is 85 grams per day. To add this vitamin to the diet, you should consult a registered dietitian or obstetrician for a more specific diet plan.

8. Dark chocolate square

Chocolate can help relieve a sore throat as it is rich in anti-inflammatory flavonoids. It also helps to lubricate the throat and reduce pain. However, you should opt for dark chocolate as it tends to be lower in sugar and fat.

In order to relieve a sore throat using chocolate, place a square of dark chocolate and your tongue and let it melt on its own, swallowing it little by little.

The consumption of dark chocolate during pregnancy should be guided by a registered dietitian or obstetrician, especially in women who have restrictions on sugar intake.

Can a sore throat while pregnant harm the baby?

A sore throat during pregnancy itself does not harm the baby, but it can be a sign of a viral or bacterial infection. This can present with other symptoms like fever or difficulty eating and drinking, which can lead to dehydration or nutritional deficiencies if left untreated.

In these cases, you should always see a doctor for assessment and possible treatment.

When to go to the doctor

It is important for pregnant women with a sore throat to see a doctor if you have the following symptoms:

• Sore throat for more than 3 days
• Intense sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing and eating
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Throat red, swollen or with dots of pus
• General malaise

In addition, you should also consult your doctor if you experience nausea, headache, neck pain or loss of appetite, as this will allow you to identify the cause of the sore throat and begin the most appropriate treatment.

Pregnancy and the flu

During pregnancy, it is harder for a woman’s immune system to fight infections. This makes a pregnant woman more likely to get the flu and other diseases.

Pregnant women are more likely than nonpregnant women their age to become very ill if they get the flu. If you are pregnant, you need to take special steps to stay healthy during the flu season.

This article gives you information about the flu and pregnancy. It is not a substitute for medical advice from your health care provider. If you think you have the flu, you should contact your provider’s office right away.

Information

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF FLU DURING PREGNANCY?

Flu symptoms are the same for everyone and include:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Fever of 100°F (37.8°C) or higher

Other symptoms may include:

• Body aches
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Vomiting, and diarrhea

SHOULD I GET THE FLU VACCINE IF I AM PREGNANT?

If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, you should get the flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers pregnant women at a higher risk for getting the flu and developing flu-related complications.

Pregnant women who get the flu vaccine get sick less often. Getting a mild case of the flu is often not harmful. However, the flu vaccine can prevent the severe cases of the flu that can harm mother and baby.

Flu vaccines are available at most provider offices and health clinics. There are two types of flu vaccines: the flu shot and a nose-spray vaccine.

• The flu shot is recommended for pregnant women. It contains killed (inactive) viruses. You cannot get the flu from this vaccine.
• The nasal spray-type flu vaccine is not approved for pregnant women.

It is OK for a pregnant woman to be around somebody who has received the nasal flu vaccine.

WILL THE VACCINE HARM MY BABY?

A small amount of mercury (called thimerosal) is a common preservative in multidose vaccines. Despite some concerns, vaccines that contain this substance have NOT been shown to cause autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

If you have concerns about mercury, ask your provider about a preservative-free vaccine. All routine vaccines are also available without added thimerosal. The CDC says pregnant women may get flu vaccines either with or without thimerosal.

WHAT ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS OF THE VACCINE?

Common side effects of the flu vaccine are mild, but can include:

• Redness or tenderness where the shot was given
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting

If side effects occur, they most often begin soon after the shot. They may last as long as 1 to 2 days. If they last longer than 2 days, you should call your provider.

HOW DO I TREAT THE FLU IF I’M PREGNANT?

Experts recommend treating pregnant women with flu-like illness as soon as possible after they develop symptoms.

• Testing is not needed for most people. Providers should not wait for results of testing before treating pregnant women. Rapid tests are often available in urgent care clinics and provider’s offices.
• It is best to start antiviral medicines within the first 48 hours of developing symptoms, but antivirals can also be used after this time period. A 75 mg capsule of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) twice per day for 5 days is the recommended first choice antiviral.

WILL ANTIVIRAL MEDICINES HARM MY BABY?

You may be worried about the medicines harming your baby. However, it is important to realize there are severe risks if you do not get treatment:

• In past flu outbreaks, pregnant women who were otherwise healthy were more likely than those who were not pregnant to become very sick or even die.
• This does not mean that all pregnant women will have a severe infection, but it is hard to predict who will become very ill. Women who become more ill with the flu will have mild symptoms at first.
• Pregnant women can become very sick very fast, even if the symptoms are not bad at first.
• Women who develop a high fever or pneumonia are at higher risk for early labor or delivery and other harm.

DO I NEED AN ANTIVIRAL DRUG IF I HAVE BEEN AROUND SOMEONE WITH THE FLU?

You are more likely to get the flu if you have close contact with someone who already has it.

Close contact means:

• Eating or drinking with the same utensils
• Caring for children who are sick with the flu
• Being near the droplets or secretions from someone who sneezes, coughs, or has a runny nose

If you have been around someone who has the flu, ask your provider if you should take an antiviral drug.

WHAT TYPES OF COLD MEDICINE CAN I TAKE FOR THE FLU IF I’M PREGNANT?

Many cold medicines contain more than one type of medicine. Some may be safer than others, but none are proven 100% safe. It is best to avoid cold medicines, if possible, especially during the first 3 to 4 months of pregnancy.

The best self-care steps for taking care of yourself when you have the flu include rest and drinking plenty of liquids, especially water. Tylenol is most often safe in standard doses to relieve pain or discomfort. It is best to talk to your provider before taking any cold medicines while you are pregnant.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO PROTECT MYSELF AND MY BABY FROM THE FLU?

There are many things you can do to help protect yourself and your unborn child from the flu.

• You should avoid sharing food, utensils, or cups with others.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and throat.
• Wash your hands often, using soap and warm water.

Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use it when you are unable to wash with soap and water.

References

Committee on Obstetric Practice and Immunization and Emerging Infections Expert Work Group, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG Committee opinion no. 732: Influenza vaccination during pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2018;131(4):e109-e114. PMID: 29578985 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29578985/.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Recommendations for obstetric health care providers related to use of antiviral medications in the treatment and prevention of influenza. www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/avrec_ob.htm. Updated September 15, 2022. Accessed September 27, 2023.

Duff WP. Maternal and perinatal infection in pregnancy: bacterial. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe’s Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 58.

Ison MG, Lee N. Influenza. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 332.

Review Date 8/23/2023

Updated by: LaQuita Martinez, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Alpharetta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.