Flu symptoms are an uncommon sign of early pregnancy, however, many women who participated in this discussion, just as the discussion starter, reported a feeling of malaise that could be attributed to flu, asking if it could be somehow related to pregnancy.
The member who replied first listed common pregnancy signs that don't include flu-like symptoms:
- missed period
- excessive weight gain or loss
- fatigue
- tiredness
- hormonal problems
- tension
- stress
- swollen, tender breasts
- morning sickness
- backaches
She suggested that the discussion starter should take a pregnancy test to be sure.
The participant who replied nest told that above are indeed some early pregnancy signs, some of the more common ones. In addition, women can also have an altered (heightened) sense of smell and taste, foods that suddenly disgust them, abdominal cramps, bloating, needing to pee more often, and mood swings. She also added:
Some people do report flu-like symptoms as well, though you never see that listed anywhere. My guess is that this is caused by pregnancy just being hard work for the body, and it can weaken your immune system. That then makes you more vulnerable to illness.
Many others who joined the discussion, reported the same flu-like symptoms along with the late period or other symptoms that may indicate pregnancy.
The following flu-like symptoms have been reported:
- headache
- achy. sore muscles
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- sore throat
- runny nose
- stuffy nose (congestion)
- temperature fluctuations
- fatigue
- dizziness
Many women who had these symptoms also reported that their period is several days/weeks late. Some women confirmed that the flu-like symptoms are indicators of a positive pregnancy.
I am now 4 weeks and 4 days pregnant and right after I found out that I was pregnant I had the flu-like symptoms...This is my second pregnancy. I lost the first exactly a year ago and I had the exact same signs then too.
I had what felt like the flu right around the time that I tested positive for all three of my pregnancies.
Those women who weren't sure decided to take the pregnancy test, but for many, it came out negative, making the problem even more confusing.
Could I still be pregnant? When should I test again?
As one participant pointed out, most pregnancy tests read false negatives early on in a pregnancy, so the women experiencing these symptoms "need to play the waiting game." Another participant added that urine pregnancy tests are often unreliable.
The only positive way to be completely sure is to go to your doctor and get a Blood test. Even urine tests can produce a false positive or negative.
There were a lot of different opinions and suggestions further in the discussion, but none of them were conclusive about whether or not flu-like symptoms can be an early sign of pregnancy.
What do experts say?
We're all familiar with the classic signs of pregnancy, such as a missed period, tender breasts, fatigue and morning sickness. But pregnant women can also experience a lot more symptoms beyond these early signs. Many women experience cold- or flu-like symptoms early in pregnancy, just like many participants in this discussion reported.
Indeed, symptoms like headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, nausea, and vomiting are all early pregnancy signs. However, these symptoms can also indicate flu, especially if other symptoms like cough and fever are present, which are not related to pregnancy and may indicate illness instead. It is important to tell the difference because flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women than in women who are not pregnant.
Early pregnancy signs
Early signs of pregnancy differ from woman to woman. Even the same woman can experience different symptoms from pregnancy to pregnancy. The most common sign of pregnancy is a missed menstrual period. The following early signs may be experienced as well:
- Swollen, tender or enlarged breasts
- Darkening of the areolas
- Slight bleeding or spotting, which may be implantation bleeding
- Nausea or vomiting (morning sickness)
- Fatigue or lightheadedness
- Food cravings or aversions
- Frequent urination
- Bloating
- Heartburn
- Constipation
- Mood swings
As the pregnancy progresses, the other symptoms that could be related to pregnancy or flu may develop:
- A general feeling of malaise or not feeling well
- Nasal congestion (stuffy nose)
- Headaches
Flu symptoms
Some of the early pregnancy symptoms can mimic flu, a contagious respiratory illness. The signs and symptoms of the flu include:
- Fever
- Muscle or body aches
- Chills
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Headache
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting and diarrhea (mostly in children)
Flu symptoms, like signs of pregnancy, can differ from person to person and can vary in severity. Some symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, headaches or muscle aches may be related to either condition. However, pregnancy is not known to bring on cough, chills or fever (you may feel warm or flushed in pregnancy though, but that's not a fever). If you experience any of these symptoms in the pregnancy, you should seek medical help, because flu may make things worse for you and your baby.
Pregnancy and flu
Changes that happen during pregnancy and that affect the immune system, heart, and lungs make pregnant women more prone to severe illness if they catch the flu, including illness resulting in hospitalization. If you're concerned that you might either be pregnant or have the flu, talking your doctor is a good idea. Especially if you've been actively trying to conceive and aren't sure if you are pregnant. The flu can be particularly risky in pregnant women, for both women and their baby.
According to the most OB-GYNs, it’s best to avoid all medications in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, which can make treatment of flu during pregnancy difficult.
Home remedies, such as getting plenty of rest and drinking a lot of fluids can help alleviate the symptoms, but they can't cure the flu.
Getting a flu vaccine is, therefore, the first and most important step in protecting against flu. Pregnant women should get a flu shot that would help protect both the mother and her baby. Flu vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of flu-associated acute respiratory infection in pregnant women by up to one-half. Pregnant women who get a flu vaccine are also helping to protect their babies from flu for the first several months after their birth when they are too young to get vaccinated.
Discussion highlights
Reported symptoms
- I have been on the pill when I go on my break I always come on and I have had a break for two weeks and haven't come on which is no like me, I'm emotions, tired, moody, tender breasts, constipation but now looseish stools,got a sore throat and am crying at such silly things, I was like this before!
- I had a really bad headache, achy, sore muscles, loss of appetite, nausea, sore throat, and today my head is stopped up.
- Well ive been feeling neausa, stuffy nose, can't sleep at night but during the day thats all i want to do.
- throughout the day, i had no energy and then all of a sudden, i was experiencing flu like symptoms (sensitive skin, hot and colds, chills) then to add to it, I had some really bad cramping in my lower abdominals.
- I've been feeling generally very bloated with heartburn & gas (burping - very, very weird for me), no matter what I eat or how much I exercise.
- Im 5 days late of my period me and my bf did have sex during my ovulation time im now spotting my stomach hurts could this mean iam pregnant this is my first pregnancy plz help
- could i be pregnant i started with flu yesterday my body hurts and my head, my nose is all stuffy and runny could that be a sign please help thanks alot.
- i started my period on the 9 and finished on the 14 of last month this month i got like spotting well thats what i think it is.
- and i had no pain so could that be miss carrige or just my period acting up?
- hey there guys its me again um i woke up the smoning and it seemed i had started my period.
- i had alot of blood than ofter that there was nothing it seemed like the end of a period where there was no blood what could that be.
- 2 nights ago I started vomiting and ever since I been having headaches and light cramping.
- Hello Im having flu like symthoms too .
- ok so im a teenager i hav always hav unsafe sex wit my bf i hav been haveing flu lik syptoms for three days now but before this i had rlly bad head aches i wanted to puke i get odd tummy pains tht i hav never had before and like i dont rlly want to eat sumtimes cuz everything smells nasty and makes me puke i took two test already one and a fanit line on it but then the other one i took didnt have any line at all also i havnt had my rag for lik a month i think i rlly dont keep up wit it cuz it skips around alot so im not rlly sure wat to do or if i am prego cuz i do drink alot to im juss wanted to kno if anyone cud tell me wat they think if i am or not.
- im really weak tired and gettin stomach pains all the time?
- my bf is scared that im pregnant?and im 2 days late for my period
- I have not lost my appitite but cannot eat as much, plus i am craving chocolate!
- I am now dwn with what feels like the flu, headaches, pressure around my eyes, blocked nose and runny nose, aches and very tired!
- The next day i would bleed again, sometimes very light spotting.
- but surprise surprie it didnt and for another month i had a constant period, maybe a couple of random days where i wasnt bleeding.
- im unsure as i still get some heavy bleeding due to the implant.
- I had an abortion last year and i ws very ill with morning sickness when pregnant, but have not yet experienced any sickness.
- My period is due in 3 days, for the last 6 days I have felt flu like symptons, cough, stuffy nose, headache, aches and pains, incredibly tired, and today I feel terribly emotional (which makes me think it's PMT).Am I just coming down with flu?
- Hi I've had my gallbladder removed the 1st of may same day my period started normal cycle ok messed around unprotected here comes the pain tiredness me I never get bumps but I have plenty now always hungry and tired I did notice I've pick up a pound or two just thought it had to do with my surgery my body .
- One thing I notices if I touch my stomach below my belly button it's tight and swore my period is now 3 days late I have been stuck at home with very bad cold and its always 100 degrees outside started with a swore throat then lol sniffles (running nose) also really bad heartburn,then last night I had chills and numb fingers my period has never been late.
- About a week later I began to get a dull ache as if it was a period pain for around 5 days.
- I now have flu like symptoms and feel tired all the time.
- I am now 5 days late and took another test yesterday but again it was negative.
- I am now 4 weeks and 4 days pregnant and right after I found out that I was pregnant I had the flu like symptoms.
- I had what felt like the flu right around the time that I tested positive for all three of my pregnancies.
- I feel like I have the flu and I am 5 days late as well.
- Im feeling very tired, And my boobs are sore.
- Hi, I am currently sick with the flu at least thats what i think it is.
- I had spotting that was a brownish pinkish discharge, it lasted for a week and a half.
- I'm very active walk my dog everyday, but for some odd reason i have been bloated and haven't had a period well unless you count the spotting and discharge then i have.
- I haven't taken a test yet for the fact that i told everyone its just the flu because well thats what it feels like, haven't really had an appitate, i love food but for some reason its smells and tastes nasty to me, am i pregnant or is it really the flu?
- Hi,I am 6 weeks now and before I missed my period I had really flu like symptoms , fever and chill.
- sore throat, and all sign of flu.
- and very faint line with pregnancy test till now.
- Lately i`ve been having flu like symptoms suck as nausea and horrible head aches.
- But that only started yesterday.
- For the past few days i`ve felt sick right after eating.
- It would hit me like a truck.
- One second i`d be fine and the next i`d feel like throwing up.
- My diet hasn`t changed.
- I had my period and a few days after it ended i got it again.
- This time it only lasted about 3 days.
- It was as heavy as my regular ones and stopped out of no where.
- This morning, I woke up feeling very nauseous.
- As the day has gone I have felt more and more flu like symptoms.
- My skin hurts and my muscles are sore.
- I am just exhausted.
- With my first pregnancy I had about the same feelings, but not until about a month and a half in, and I was actually admitted to the hospital for severe dehydration.
- I even have really bad lower back pain.
- So started with abdominal cramping (constant) for 2 days (could this have been me ovulating?), loss of apetite, tiredness, irritability, sore boobs and very emotional.
- Today is only the 13th and for the past say 3 days i have had flu like symptoms.
- Started with a sore throat and runny nose and now has progressed to a rather annoying cough and constant runny nose but throat isn't sore anymore.
- Yesterday i felt dizzy and light headed all day, struggling to eat any more than two bites of food and feels like i am now starting to get a head cold/ head ache.
- yesterday i threw up at 130 am.
- i made myself because i had such a bad stomach ache and my body didnt feel like it was going to do it itself.
- so i went back to bed after feeling better after vomiting.
- in the morning however, i felt hungover and queasy.
- i have some pains in my lower abs again today.
- Now after 8th day post ovulation having cramps , brest tenderness and feeling of fullness.
- very very nauseas and temp of 37.2 (normal 36.8 for me).
- bad taste in mouth like flu.
- very tired as well ?
- While on clomid did not have much symptoms but did feel some hot fluses and sweating.
- I eat all the time always hungry even after I eat a big meal!
- My period isn't suppose to come for 5 days but I'm having a fever and been so tired!
- Recently I have been very tired and having a little discharge is this because i am ovulating or I should be?
- when i was pregnant i was 2 weeks late, only signs i has were restless nights and nausea/puking.
- Then on the day it was due I started getting flu symptoms like all of you have described - slight fever, fatigue, runny nose, etc.
- The next morning the fatigue was so bad I couldn't go to work.
- Now I'm back at work and feel a bit better, but my period is now three days late.
- But lately I've had stomach cramps, headaches, tender breasts and chills.
- Most relate to the flu and others more at a pregnancy can somebody help me out with this it's greatly appreciated.
- Pregnancy symptoms include headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, light cramps, and gas and-or bloating.
- My last period was march 29th 2012 I had unprotected sex a week later I was supposed to get my period the 26th of april its not may 7 and for the past week and a half I've had some cramps a little weight gain and just resently I've had a cold with more cramps then usual I also feel a bit nauseas buut I never throw up I've had discharge more then usual as well I took two pregnancy test may 3 and they both came out negative.
- i was a week late before i went the heaith dept but before all that i got sick like i was goin toahave my period but it never came and i took like four home preg.
- test first was invaild freak me out so i went got another did the same thing thought it was the brand so i use a diff kind still the same thing so week later i went to heaith dept and took test there sure enough i was preg.
- again i got flu like sysmptoms and achs every now and again and a dull sharp heachach but the then go away and my period is like four days late and i took hpts and they say nag i went to the heaith dept it nag too so the only thing i i know that its too earlie to tell maybe there just not enough hgc in my system yet.
- pretty sure ur not imaging it caus first time i got preg.
- id say ur pregnant wait for a lil while and take u a test at least for a couple more days the pinkish brown stuff is a discharge that pregnant women get when ur body is building the mucus plug.
- i have thrown up only once but i have felt sick to my stomach a bit and kind of dizzy, i have also had a fever changing from about 99-101 ish!
- I am experiencing the same too,,i tested negative,,been feeling tired,,heavy flu,,nausea,,n always feels like vomiting,,too much sleep,,i went for test agin but it was negative so my doc asked me to wait until 8 weeks since i had my last periods then go for test again
- I have came out on lots of spots on my chin and a day after my period was late I have been having a really sore throat (flu-like symptoms) Breast have been sore but on and off and feeling really tired all the time and some times finding it hard to sleep at night.
- I am also getting slight cramping in my lower stomach and I have been having a clear white discharge.
- I know this is going to sound most obscure, and I'm not sure if this thread is active anymore, but I am around three days late on my period and have been experiencing some obscure flu-like symptoms as well.
- The only jist is that my flu-like symptoms are as follows - 1.
- Runny nose 2.
- Temperature fluctuations 3.
- Sore throat 4.
- Fatigue/dizziness 5.
- Slight nausea (emphasis on slight) I haven't experienced vomiting or even tender breasts.
- I had taken 3 pregnancy test and 1 came back positive and the other 2 came back negative and yesterday j was feeling perfectly fine and today I woke up with flu like symptoms coughing runny nose and a headache I'm not sure if I should wait longer to take another test or what I should do
- I been having flu like symptoms and my boobs are sore and I'm always tired.
- Ive been sleeping my days away for weeks now.
- And already about almost a week i'm having a fever, flu and cough.
- but lately from last month my stomach was in pain like a poking pain n stretching pain.
- however, me and my boyfriend had sex last night and i spotted a little, but still no period.
- Now i have flu like symptoms?
- i got sick about 4am now my head is pounding my back and legs ache.
- I have had all of the signs my breast hurt, smells drive me crazy making me gag.
- im very emotional today.could i possibly be pregnant?
- Blocked/running nose, headache, achy and just over all tired.
- I have flu symptoms.
- Very emotional.
- That I'd moved recently) Very strange mood.
- But out of excitement i just want to know whether feeling tired and exhaust, feeling like doing nothing, cold and flu, backache and pricky sensations in the stomach are sure symptoms of pregnancy.
- Hi, even i am having flu and blocked nose and pricky feeling in my lower abdomen.
- Ive had sore breasts for a few weeks and no period at all last month or anytime yet for this month.
- Im urinating alot, sneezing alot, veryyy exhausted.
- i get tired quickly and I have flu like symptoms.
- Since about a week ago.
- 8/31 I started spotting which late about 5 days I have irregular periods but there usually last longer and are much heavier.
- This shooting was only a tiny bit each day and it went from light red to dark brown.
- But yesterday in the afternoon I took a 3.5 hour nap and when I woke up I was weak and had the worst headache I felt like I was getting the flu.
- But today I feel a little better I can at least walk around by I'm having cramping.
- I have flu like symptoms.
- Fever, stuffy nose, head ache, loss of appetite, back aches, and hot flashes.
- I'm very moody as well.
- I have all the symptoms of the flu, but I ovulated 6 days ago.
- im experiencing the same exact thing except i havent had a missed period yet i will find out in a couple days but im.so sick and just so randomly too.
- I'm two months late on my period, my boobs are constantly tender and sore but myself and even doctors and hospitals have tooken a pregnancy test but coming back negative.
- AF is due in 2 days and out of no where I got flu or cold like symptoms.
- Not to mention my boobs have been hurting for the past week and half and I've gotten cramps as well.
- I feel so bad like i have a stomach bug or flu.
- The period that came on the 27th had me feeling sick for about a week and a half before it came on extreme bloating sore breast rapid weight gain.
- hot flashes.sore throat.
- Fatigue.
- And a really strange feeling inside of my stomach.
- My bleeding on the 27th was watery with small clots.
- No pain no cramps.
- So me and my boyfriend have been trying I'm suppose to get my period next week but this week I have the chills headache a little fever nausea I went to the doctors they couldn't find anything wrong, I tested negative to the flu and strep, is there a possibility that I could be pregnant?
- I have a stuffy nose and cough is this a sign of pregnancy .
- & now I'm feeling sick .
- even me 'm 1 week late and I have a flu my tummy hurts so bad, could it be that 'm pregnant?
- I have slightly low fever.other than that i dont have any other pregnancy symptoms.
- Hi I had sex on Tuesday November 29I've been having nausea but no throwing up, sneezing flu like symptoms, bloating, stomach pains , spotting and light bleeding but however I am on the depo shot and I don't miss any shot.
- Yes i feel like that now me and my boyfriend have been trying for a few weeks and after awhile i started to feel sick with cramps and Backaches sore throat ear aches.
- For 2 days now ive been having a bad headache, sore throat, earache, bloating and gasy!
- I get really bad headache in the morning time and right before i get reay for bed .
- Just the worse body aching, coughing and sore throat, very hot feeling like I have a fever, no desire to eat.
- I had the flu like sympthoms this wednesday and thursday with no fever, no loose bowls, no vomiting.
- on 5th Feb we again had sex and on da same night 2 hrs later after i observed small spot of bloof.
- next morning I got up from bed and got fainted at the spot.
- i also had bad tongue ulcers for almost 2 weeks.
- now I am having bad itching in my nose flue like feeling and my tongue and throat is badly dry.
- Iam also weak and tired iam two weeks late for my period I took pragnancy test it was nagative should I warry?
- I'm experiencing flu-like symptoms out of the blue so I keep telling myself that I just have a cold.
- I've suffered from loss of appetite I feel feverish but I do not have a fever I've been very moody and agitated by the simplest of things I constantly have headaches and my legs hurt at times I have loss of appetite but I also now have a running nose like a cold.
- I'm not coughing but I am sneezing I'm not vomiting but I feel nauseous I can't even seem to walk all the way up to the store without feeling dizzy normally I can make this work no problem.
- I have no energy to do anything and strangely feel like I'm suffering from depression.
- I don't know if you can experience the feeling of depression during pregnancy or if it has anything to do with it.
- Same Here my Period Was Due on the 26th but it never came witch was unusual for me i had Flu like symtoms I felt so bad so I decided to take a test and got my big Fat positive I've been trying for over a year now
- But have a common cold headache 3-5 dats late but do suffer endometriosis so not sure if its this playing up or am pregs.
- I have been sick all day with a sore throat, hurts to swallow, and what feels like a sinus infection.
- My husband seems to think I am pregnant but I also started a new job around toddlers with runny noses and sneezing on everything.
- I've been hungry like crazy.
- I took a test a few days ago and it was a quick negative.
- That was before this sick feeling started.
- Constantly wanting to eat but not feeling nauseous so I just don't want to get my husband's hopes up.
- I have all those above and done a test the morning a still negative and I'm 5 days late it's so confusing now what do people suggest can I be pregant and just late showing on the test
- so on Sunday 10/09/2017 i started to spot again, i should be getting my periods in 2 days, but i have been spotting and i have flu that is making me so tired, and my throat is sore, only yesterday i was feeling nauseous.
- my nose is blocked my head hurts.
- 3 months ago i stared spotting for 3 days and then later i had my periods, they were hectic, i have never seen so much clots in my 29 years before, we went to the doctor and he said i was not pregnant, probably i had an infection.
- Before I got sick my boobs were sore and I told my husband and he said I was pregnant, when he find out I was sick he said the same thing I finally took the test the 3rd day of my miss period and of me being sick and I got Bfp
- Nose really runny, constant sneezing my face was aching head pounding etc.
- The day of my period I was sick almost as I had the flu.
Verification Claims & Medical Studies
In conclusion
Many women experience symptoms early in pregnancy that can be attributed to either pregnancy or flu, such as headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, nausea, and vomiting. Flu symptoms may also include cough, chills or fever, which are not related to pregnancy. If you experience these symptoms, talk to your doctor right away because flu can be particularly risky in pregnancy, for both pregnant women and their baby.