Cold and Flu Symptoms During Pregnancy

When a woman is pregnant, there is always the potential to catch a cold or the flu. Her body is going through so many changes that she will inevitably become a little more susceptible to these sorts of sickness. But, there is a difference between the two, and it is wise, especially for a pregnant woman, to understand the distinction.

Cough

• The most common cold and flu symptom during pregnancy is the presence of a cough.

Sore Throat

• Another common symptom of both cold and flu during pregnancy is a sore throat. This may be partly due to a cough, but also the sickness as well.

Stuffy Nose and Sneezing

• A woman who catches a cold during pregnancy will usually suffer from a stuffy nose and some sneezing. An expectant mother may experience these two symptoms with the flu, but not as often.

Headache

• If a woman has the flu during pregnancy she will commonly experience a headache. This symptom usually isn't present with a cold.

Fever

• If you are pregnant and think you have cold, but develop a fever (between 100 and 102 degrees F) then you probably have the flu, especially when other flu symptoms are present. A fever is not a symptom of a cold.

Fatigue

• Both cold and flu during pregnancy may bring about a certain amount of fatigue and exhaustion for a woman, though the intensity will be greater with the flu.

Aches and Pains

• Sometimes a woman who is suffering from the flu will suffer some level of aches and pains. This can develop with cold, but it won't be as severe.