Fever during pregnancy can arise due to infections, such as flu, colds, pneumonia, COVID-19, dengue fever or urinary tract infection, but it can also occur due to ectopic pregnancy, and may be accompanied by symptoms such as painful urination, shortness of breath, pain in the body or headache, for example.
In case of a fever during pregnancy, above 37.8ºC, what is recommended is to try to cool the body with natural methods such as placing a cloth wet in cold water on the head, back of the neck, neck and armpits, in addition to wearing cool and warm clothes. drink hot drinks, such as teas and soups, as they stimulate sweating, naturally lowering body temperature.
However, it is always recommended to consult an obstetrician if a fever develops during pregnancy, or is accompanied by other symptoms, so that its cause can be identified, and the most appropriate treatment can be indicated.
11 causes of fever during pregnancy
The main causes of fever during pregnancy are:
1. Cold and flu
The flu and cold are viral infections that can cause fever during pregnancy, as well as nasal congestion, a runny nose or body aches.
During pregnancy, a woman’s immune system undergoes changes and can become overloaded and weakened and, therefore, the pregnant woman is at greater risk of infections, such as the flu and colds.
What to do: You should keep your body hydrated, drinking plenty of fluids and resting. Furthermore, it is important to consult an obstetrician to assess whether the fever is caused by the flu or cold or whether there is another type of infection so that the most appropriate treatment can be given. See how to alleviate flu symptoms during pregnancy.
2. Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria from the intestine, especially Escherichia coli, which reach the urinary system, due to the proximity between the urethra and the anus, and it is common for women to have at least one episode of urinary infection during pregnancy.
A urinary tract infection can lead to fever and other symptoms, such as pain or burning when urinating, a feeling of heaviness in the bladder, frequent urge to urinate or very dark, cloudy and strong-smelling urine. Know how to identify all the symptoms of urinary tract infections during pregnancy.
What to do: treatment should be carried out with antibiotics recommended by the obstetrician. Furthermore, it is also important to drink plenty of water, not hold in your pee and empty your bladder completely each time you urinate. See how urinary tract infections are treated during pregnancy.
3. Dengue or Zika
Dengue and Zika are infections caused by viruses transmitted through the bite of the Aedes aegypt mosquito, causing symptoms such as fever above 38ºC, red spots on the skin, pain and swelling in the joints.
Dengue fever during pregnancy is dangerous as it can interfere with blood clotting, which can cause the placenta to detach and result in miscarriage or premature birth.
Furthermore, in the case of Zika, the virus can pass to the baby through the placenta and cause complications, such as microcephaly.
What to do: The treatment of dengue and Zika during pregnancy includes rest, hydration, and the use of painkillers prescribed by the obstetrician to combat pain and fever. In the case of dengue, the doctor may also recommend hospitalization to apply intravenous serum and medication to control the disease and reduce possible risks such as miscarriage or bleeding. See how dengue and Zika are treated during pregnancy.
4. Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is an infection of the digestive system that can occur when consuming food contaminated with bacteria or viruses, causing symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever.
What to do: You should drink plenty of fluids as gastroenteritis can cause dehydration, in addition to resting and consulting your obstetrician to identify the cause of gastroenteritis, and if necessary, recommend the use of antibiotics if it is a bacterial infection.
5. Sore throat
Inflammation in the throat can be caused by viruses and bacteria, leading to symptoms such as sore throat, difficulty swallowing and fever.
When tonsillitis is caused by bacteria, white dots may still be seen in the throat.
What to do: You should consult your obstetrician to assess the cause of the inflammation in your throat, and if it is caused by bacteria, your doctor may recommend the use of antibiotics. Furthermore, to relieve a sore throat, you can gargle with warm water and salt or drink ginger and lemon tea, for example, to complement the treatment recommended by your doctor. See other ways to relieve a sore throat during pregnancy.
6. Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, which can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi, generating symptoms such as high fever, chills, dry cough or phlegm, shortness of breath and chest pain.
What to do: The treatment of pneumonia must be carried out under the guidance of the obstetrician, who may recommend the use of antibiotics, in addition to paracetamol to reduce the fever.
7. Listeriosis
Listeriosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes transmitted through consumption of contaminated water and food, such as unpasteurized milk, fish, raw meat, vegetables or processed foods, resulting in high fever, body pain and chills, which can be confused with flu symptoms.
Although listeriosis is a rare infection, during pregnancy women are more at risk of having the infection, due to their weakened immune system.
What to do: The treatment of listeriosis is done with the use of antibiotics recommended by the obstetrician. Furthermore, it is important to drink plenty of water, as this will prevent dehydration, and it is also important to have a light, easily digestible diet.
During pregnancy, as a way to prevent listeriosis, pregnant women should avoid eating raw or undercooked meat, fish or unpasteurized milk, in addition to washing fruits and vegetables well before eating. See how to clean food before eating.
8. Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), which can be transmitted to pregnant women through contact with contaminated soil, consumption of undercooked or poorly sanitized meat from animals contaminated by the parasite or through unprotected contact with feces. of infected cats.
Most of the time, toxoplasmosis does not lead to the appearance of signs and symptoms, however, low-grade fever, swelling in the neck, headache and malaise may appear.
What to do: Toxoplasmosis must be diagnosed as quickly as possible by the obstetrician so that antibiotic treatment can be started immediately, to treat the mother and reduce the risk of transmission to the baby, and thus prevent complications for the baby. Understand the risks of toxoplasmosis for the baby.
9. Cytomegalovirus
Cytomegalovirus is a virus from the same family as herpes, which can cause infection in pregnant women and symptoms such as fever above 38ºC, muscle pain, inflammation and pain in the armpits.
During pregnancy, this virus is detected through prenatal exams, but it is generally harmless and does not cause any changes to the baby, especially when the woman was infected before becoming pregnant. However, when a woman is infected during pregnancy, the virus can cause problems such as microcephaly and deafness in the baby, as it can pass to the baby through the placenta.
What to do: Prenatal exams should be carried out as advised by the obstetrician to assess whether the woman has a cytomegalovirus infection. This way, treatment with antivirals can be recommended, evaluating the benefits and risks of the treatment.
10. COVID-19
COVID-19 is a respiratory infection in which the first symptoms that may appear are fever, chills, sore throat, dry cough, excessive tiredness, loss of smell or taste, and a blocked or runny nose. Check out the main symptoms of COVID-19.
During pregnancy, there is a greater risk of a woman developing a serious illness, as her immune system is more weakened.
What to do: It is important to carry out isolation, and the rapid COVID test or RT-PCR test recommended by the obstetrician, to confirm the infection. If necessary, the doctor may prescribe medication to help alleviate symptoms. In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary to monitor maternal and fetal health and use medication. Understand how COVID-19 is treated.
11. Ectopic pregnancy
When there is a fever at the beginning of pregnancy, up to 14 weeks of gestation, an ectopic pregnancy may also be suspected, especially if there are symptoms such as intense pain in the lower abdomen, and if the woman has not yet undergone an ultrasound to confirm that the baby is inside. of the uterus.
Ectopic pregnancy occurs when the embryo develops outside the uterus, being more common in the fallopian tubes, and can also cause other symptoms such as intense cramping on only one side of the belly that worsens with movement, dizziness, vaginal bleeding, pain during pregnancy. intimate contact, nausea, vomiting or fainting.
What to do: In the case of the presence of symptoms of tubal pregnancy, you should seek the nearest emergency room immediately so that tests can be carried out, confirm the diagnosis and begin the most appropriate treatment, which is generally carried out through surgery to remove the embryo. Find out how ectopic pregnancy is treated.
What are the risks of fever during pregnancy for the baby?
A fever above 39ºC during pregnancy can harm the baby and even lead to premature birth, not because of the rise in temperature, but because of what is causing the fever, which usually indicates an infection.
Therefore, in case of fever, you should always call the doctor or go to the hospital for tests that may indicate the reason for the fever and the necessary treatment.
When to go to the doctor
It is important for pregnant women to consult their obstetrician whenever a fever appears during pregnancy and does not improve within 24 hours, with rest and hydration.
In addition, you should seek medical attention or the nearest emergency room in the following situations:
- Fever that appears for no apparent reason;
- Temperature reaches 39ºC suddenly;
- Chills;
- Headache;
- Discomfort;
- Nausea or vomiting;
- Diarrhea;
- Dor abdominal;
- Intense headache;
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;
- Pain or burning when urinating;
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge;
- Loss of amniotic fluid;
- Feeling of fainting.
In addition to seeking medical help as soon as possible, it is also important to drink water, homemade serum, soup and broths to replace the liquids and minerals lost through diarrhea and vomiting and avoid dehydration. Know how to identify the symptoms of dehydration.
Remedies for fever during pregnancy
Fever medicines such as paracetamol should only be taken under medical advice, as it is important to identify the cause of the fever.
Paracetamol is the only medicine to reduce fever that pregnant women can take, even with medical advice. See how to take paracetamol during pregnancy.
Teas to reduce fever during pregnancy
Teas should not be used indiscriminately during pregnancy because it is not always safe. Teas, despite being made with medicinal plants, can promote uterine contraction and vaginal bleeding, increasing risks for the baby.
Therefore, the ideal is to drink just 1 cup of very hot chamomile tea so that, due to the temperature alone, it promotes sweating, lowering the fever naturally. See how to prepare chamomile tea.
