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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Will A High Temperature Flu Dangerous During Pregnancy?

Hi there, I am currently 5 weeks pregnant and have been suffering with the flu for the last 3 days. I've recently read that a high temperature is dangerous at this point in a pregnacy due to increased risk of spina bifida. During the night I am struggling to sleep and wake up sweaty, however when I check my temperature using a digital thermometer taking a reading from my ear my temp is normal lowest being 35.5℃ and highest 37.1℃. I suppose my question is how reliable are these readings? Is it possible to be sweaty and not be running a fever.
Thanks Tracey
Thu, 6 Mar 2014
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OBGYN 's  Response
Hi and welcome to healthcare magic.

Please do not worry.

The heading of your question says temperature from flu, so may I assume that you are also having flu?.

The temperatures that you have quoted are normal.

The reason for this picture are. During pregnancy there is an increase in different hormones in the body especially progesterone. This causes dilatation of blood vessels in the body and leads to feeling of warmth. So this is a common complaint in many women of feeling hotter during pregnancy. It tends to settle down as pregnancy advances.

Another reason might be influenza leading to fever. This fever if it is high may be dangerous for the baby and is associated with birth defects as well as abortion. Especially temperatures above 38 are dangerous.

I suggest that you measure the temperature by keeping the thermometer under the armpit for a full 2 minutes as reading from the ear may not be recorded properly. If it is 37 or less, there is no need to worry. Keep a temperature record throughout the day every 2-3 hours and make a chart of it to see the actual readings. If they 37 or less, you have no need to worry.

If the fever goes above 37.5, take tablet acetaminophene to bring the fever down, use tepid water sponging to bring the fever down. Also see your doctor for evaluation and further medication. Try to avoid contact with people having cough and cold and hand wash repeatedly as this decreases the chance of catching an infection.
Hope this satisfies your query.
Thanks for using HCM.     
Feel free to ask any more questions that you may have.
Dr Madhuri Bagde
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist
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Will A High Temperature Flu Dangerous During Pregnancy?

Hi and welcome to healthcare magic. Please do not worry. The heading of your question says temperature from flu, so may I assume that you are also having flu?. The temperatures that you have quoted are normal. The reason for this picture are. During pregnancy there is an increase in different hormones in the body especially progesterone. This causes dilatation of blood vessels in the body and leads to feeling of warmth. So this is a common complaint in many women of feeling hotter during pregnancy. It tends to settle down as pregnancy advances. Another reason might be influenza leading to fever. This fever if it is high may be dangerous for the baby and is associated with birth defects as well as abortion. Especially temperatures above 38 are dangerous. I suggest that you measure the temperature by keeping the thermometer under the armpit for a full 2 minutes as reading from the ear may not be recorded properly. If it is 37 or less, there is no need to worry. Keep a temperature record throughout the day every 2-3 hours and make a chart of it to see the actual readings. If they 37 or less, you have no need to worry. If the fever goes above 37.5, take tablet acetaminophene to bring the fever down, use tepid water sponging to bring the fever down. Also see your doctor for evaluation and further medication. Try to avoid contact with people having cough and cold and hand wash repeatedly as this decreases the chance of catching an infection. Hope this satisfies your query. Thanks for using HCM. Feel free to ask any more questions that you may have. Dr Madhuri Bagde Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist