Stomach Flu During Pregnancy: Symptoms & Remedies

Are you pregnant and think you might have contracted the stomach flu? Does that mean you and your baby are in serious danger?

During pregnancy, many illnesses can be more serious because our immune systems are weaker and because we are supporting another human life inside us!

Before you’re left to imagine the worst-case scenario, we’ll let you know what to do if you have the stomach flu while pregnant.

What Is Stomach Flu?

The stomach flu isn’t actually the flu. Stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis, is an illness caused by a virus or bacteria that affects your digestive tract, while the flu is caused by the influenza virus and affects mainly your respiratory tract.

Most cases of gastroenteritis are caused by either a viral or bacterial infection. The most common virus that causes stomach flu is norovirus, which is incredibly contagious. Other commonly known causes of gastroenteritis include rotavirus, salmonella, and E. coli.

When the virus or bacteria sweeps through the body, it can upset the balance of stomach acid, irritate the lining of the digestive system, and even cause an imbalance in the bacteria that live in our intestines. The result is vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain.

In most cases, the infection is very mild and does not progress into anything serious. After around ten days, your body should have fought off the infection, rebalanced your gut bacteria, and healed any inflammation or damage caused by the infection ⁽¹⁾.

How Can I Prevent Stomach Flu?

The viruses and bacteria can spread many different ways, including:

• Human contact.
• Touching something an infected person has touched.
• Eating contaminated food. When it comes to a virus, the only preventions are vaccination (against rotavirus) and good hygiene.
• Not washing your hands after changing a diaper or going to the bathroom.

If you are vaccinated, your body will have antibodies (special cells) that attack the virus. If there is no vaccine, washing your hands before touching your face or mouth is essential for prevention.

Unfortunately, vaccines are only effective against viruses. It is not possible to vaccinate against bacterial infections.

Editor's Note:

Mary Sweeney, BSN, RN, CEN

Good hygiene plays an even bigger role when it comes to bacterial infections. Always wash your hands before preparing food, after handling diapers or using the restroom, or coming in from outside.

Bacteria and viruses are on virtually every surface you can think of, and there is no surefire way of preventing exposure to them. It’s important to remember that your immune system is weaker when you are pregnant, and you might be affected by a virus or bacteria you could normally fight off.

While no method is guaranteed to prevent you from getting sick, here are some helpful tips to help you prevent the stomach flu:

• Wash your hands: It’s especially important to wash your hands after visiting the restroom or changing a diaper, before preparing any food, after handling raw meats, after outings, or after any physical contact with a sick person.
• Be mindful of your food: Besides washing your hands carefully, you should also wash any fruits or vegetables you eat. Because we often consume raw or slightly cooked plants, it’s extra important to ensure they are cleaned thoroughly. Cut off any areas that may have dirt and pesticides built up, such as the top of an apple. Peel anything you can, and wash the rest. Consider avoiding leafy salads and consuming only cooked greens.
• Beware of Raw Foods: It is especially important to avoid foods that may contain salmonella or E. coli when you’re pregnant, such as pate, sushi, or raw eggs. Look out for anything raw, meats that are not fully cooked, or anything reheated. These are all things that can breed dangerous bacteria.

Symptoms of Stomach Flu During Pregnancy

It can be hard to discern stomach flu symptoms from regular pregnancy symptoms. During pregnancy, cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea are all common symptoms, so don’t be surprised if you aren’t completely sure whether you have the stomach flu. Here are some clues that you might have a stomach bug:

1. Other people with the same symptoms: If your pregnancy has been going okay so far and suddenly everyone in your house is vomiting and having gut cramps, you probably have what they have.
2. A fever: Pregnancy can come with hot and cold sensations because your body is full of hormones and learning to regulate its temperature while housing another human being. But if you have a temperature of 100.3 degrees or higher along with tummy issues, it’s more likely the stomach flu.
3. Sudden changes in symptoms: If your pregnancy has involved no nausea and suddenly you are sick every hour, or if you have been sick and suddenly experience diarrhea or fever, then you might have the stomach flu.

If you experience any of these symptoms, or if your instincts are telling you something is seriously wrong, see your doctor right away ⁽²⁾.

Risks of Stomach Flu While Pregnant

Everyday illnesses can become an even bigger problem when we’re pregnant. Many conventional and alternative medicines may not be safe for use during pregnancy, and symptoms that would ordinarily just be annoying are now a little more serious.

Be sure you are hydrating as much as possible, though, as dehydration can trigger preterm labor.

If you cannot keep anything down, including water, for more than 24 hours, it’s time to call the doctor.

Editor's Note:

Mary Sweeney, BSN, RN, CEN

1. Anti-nausea Medications

Many anti-nausea medications are safe to take during pregnancy. These might not make it easy to eat, but they may ease your nausea and help you drink a little bit of water.

Talk to your doctor to determine which type of medicine is right for your circumstances and health history.

Ginger is a natural anti-nausea medication that is safe to take in pregnancy. Drink ginger ale or take ginger pills as an antidote to many cases of nausea.

2. Dehydration

If you suffer from vomiting and diarrhea, you are at risk of dehydration. This makes it especially important to watch for symptoms, including:

• Dry mouth and skin.
• Dark urine or passing small amounts of urine.
• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded.
• Rapid heartbeat.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you could be seriously dehydrated. See a doctor as soon as possible.

There are rehydration salts that are perfectly safe to use, even when pregnant. If you have had vomiting and diarrhea for a day or more, you might need rehydration salts to help keep you hydrated. You can also try drinking sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade, which contain electrolytes you may have lost during vomiting and diarrhea episodes.

If you’re severely dehydrated and cannot keep food or liquids down, you may need IV hydration. Call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room if you are experiencing the above symptoms.

Editor's Note:

Mary Sweeney, BSN, RN, CEN

3. High Fever

A high fever can be dangerous to your baby. Any fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit could lead to complications during pregnancy, congenital disabilities, or miscarriage.

If you have a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, call your doctor right away. If this is not possible, go to your local emergency room.

Your doctor will advise you about what medications can safely lower your fever. Generally, acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, is safe to take occasionally when needed during pregnancy, but aspirin and ibuprofen are not safe for pregnancy and should not be taken unless your doctor prescribes them ⁽³⁾.

Cramping too much could affect your baby. If you are having intense cramps, lie down so your womb has plenty of room even with the cramps and bloating.

Pregnancy Safe Over-The-Counter Medicines

There are some over-the-counter medicines that are generally safe when you are pregnant and have stomach flu:

• For pain: Acetaminophen is good for short-term use, but use it sparingly and only when necessary. Small doses of paracetamol are also safe. No other painkillers are advised without consulting a doctor first.
• For nausea: Antacids that list calcium carbonates or calcium are usually safe. If you have extreme nausea, your doctor may prescribe an anti-nausea medication called Zofran, but that is only under certain circumstances.
• For diarrhea: Short-term use of antidiarrheal treatments is generally safe, but avoid products like Pepto-Bismol and other antidiarrheal treatments with salicylates listed. When in doubt, ask your doctor. A fiber supplement can also help.
• For dehydration: Most rehydration salts are safe, and a fiber supplement can help you hold on to water.
• For fever: Acetaminophen is the only recommended medication for fever during pregnancy.
• For nutrition: Make sure you take your pregnancy vitamins, and consider a fiber supplement.

Make sure you avoid:

• NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen and naproxen, should not be taken during pregnancy. These medications can cause miscarriage in early pregnancy and have been known to cause birth defects in later stages of pregnancy ⁽⁵⁾.
• Decongestants: They have been linked to birth defects ⁽⁶⁾.
• Some antibiotics: Certain antibiotics are not advised during pregnancy, and unless your stomach bug is caused by bacteria, they will not be effective at resolving your symptoms. Antibiotics will only work with a bacterial infection ⁽⁷⁾.

Tips to Manage the Stomach Flu

These tips could help you feel more yourself until you recover:

• Plenty of fluids: Just getting enough water should help you feel much better when you have the stomach flu. Keep a warm tea or doctor-approved herbal drink nearby, and keep sipping.
• Avoid spicy and vinegary foods: Anything that will irritate your gut could trigger heartburn, which would make vomiting more likely.
• Ginger: Ginger has a compound called gingerol, an anti-inflammatory and stomach-acid-neutralizing remedy. If you have it before bed, it could help you get a good night’s sleep.
• Strong candy: Sucking on sour, peppermint, or aniseed candy could help you balance your stomach acid and hold your food down.
• Witch hazel wipes: All those trips to the bathroom can cause some irritation down below. These wipes can relieve burning and itching caused by repeated episodes of diarrhea.
• Rest: One of the best things you can do for yourself is rest. Your body needs time to recuperate, so now’s the time to find a comfy spot on your couch and stay there!

When Do I Need to Go to the Emergency Room?

Sometimes it can be hard to decide whether it is worth your time, energy, and money to go to the emergency room or if this is just an illness that will pass. If you suffer any of these problems, head to the emergency room:

• A fever over 100 degrees and your regular healthcare provider is not available right away.
• Your urine turns dark — or you stop passing urine — or you feel dizzy and confused. You might be seriously dehydrated.
• You haven’t held water down for a day or food for two or three days.
• You feel severe cramping that covers your whole abdomen.
• You notice a difference in your baby’s movements.
• You feel very unwell or your instincts are telling you to get help right away. Don’t worry about overreacting; it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

FAQs

How Long Is Stomach Flu Contagious For?

Stomach flu is still contagious a few days after you feel you’ve recovered. This is a pesky, highly contagious virus that likes to hang around for a while, so it’s best to keep yourself quarantined while you’re infected if you can.

In extreme cases, you may need to go to the hospital, because pregnant women can experience serious side effects from the flu.

Can the Flu Cause Birth Defects?

Unfortunately, yes. Catching the flu does increase the risk that your child will develop birth defects. The flu can cause women to give birth prematurely, too.

Our advice is to avoid the flu at all costs. If you do catch it, then it’s worth going to the hospital to ensure everything is okay.

Will I Get the Stomach Flu If My Husband Has It?

It isn’t a sure thing that you will get the flu if your husband has it, but it’s pretty likely if the two of you are around each other a lot.

If you’re trying to avoid catching your husband’s flu, staying at a friend or family member’s house would be best until he isn’t contagious anymore. Even staying in a hotel would be a better option if that’s a possibility.

What Is the Quickest Way to Get Rid of a Stomach Bug?

To get over a stomach bug quickly, it’s a good idea to get plenty of rest. Just stay hydrated, and try to avoid eating solid foods until your stomach settles down.

Once you’re ready for solid foods again, introduce them back into your diet slowly. Make sure to avoid any greasy, spicy, or sugary foods.

Some Final Notes

Being sick during pregnancy can be tricky business, and it can be hard to tell what’s an illness and what are pregnancy-related symptoms. Always call your doctor if you are in doubt, and don’t be afraid to ask them for recommendations on easing symptoms while dealing with the stomach flu.