WHO lists pregnant women among those at greater risk of severe flu, and the CDC says to call your provider right away if you are pregnant with flu symptoms. What the sources say, the warning signs that mean the emergency department, the vaccine, and six questions for your doctor.
The World Health Organization (WHO) lists pregnant women among the people at greater risk of severe flu or its complications (fact sheet dated 28 February 2025), and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that if you are pregnant and have flu symptoms, you should call your health care provider right away (page dated 17 September 2024). Your own risk is for your doctor to judge.
This page sets out what WHO, the CDC and the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) say about flu and pregnancy, and lists questions for your doctor. It does not tell you whether you have flu, how serious it is or what to take. It names no medicine: ask your doctor or pharmacist before any cold or flu remedy, with or without a prescription. For the general picture, see is the flu dangerous and who is at higher risk.
In short:
- With flu symptoms in pregnancy, the CDC says to call your provider right away, and the NHS says to ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from its urgent-advice service (reviewed 3 February 2026).
- The warning signs below mean going to the nearest emergency department or calling emergency services now.
Last checked: 31 October 2026, on the pages listed under Sources. Guidelines and pages change, so confirm with your doctor.
Is flu more dangerous in pregnancy?
| Source | What it says about flu and pregnancy | Date |
|---|---|---|
| WHO, influenza (seasonal) fact sheet | Pregnant women are among those at greater risk of severe disease or complications. People at high risk or with severe symptoms should be treated with antiviral medicines as soon as possible. | 28 February 2025 |
| CDC, Flu & Pregnancy | Flu during pregnancy is more likely to cause illness that results in hospitalization. Call your provider right away if you are pregnant with flu symptoms. CDC recommends prompt antiviral treatment during pregnancy for confirmed or suspected flu. | Page dated 17 September 2024 |
| NHS (UK), Flu | If you have flu symptoms and are pregnant or have recently given birth, ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from its urgent-advice service. | Reviewed 3 February 2026 |
Read 31 October 2026. This page names no medicine and cannot say whether an antiviral applies to you: that is your doctor’s decision.
Is flu a sign of pregnancy?
The NHS’s list of signs that might mean you are pregnant (reviewed 31 July 2026) includes a missed period, feeling or being sick, feeling extremely tired and sore breasts. It does not mention fever, cough or sore throat. Tiredness is on both lists: the NHS flu page lists feeling tired or exhausted (reviewed 3 February 2026). The NHS says that if you think you might be pregnant, you can find out by doing a pregnancy test. What your symptoms are is for your doctor to say.
What should I do if I have flu symptoms while pregnant?
The CDC says to call your health care provider right away; the NHS says to ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from its urgent-advice service. Neither is an Egyptian source: in Egypt, “your health care provider” would mean the doctor or unit that follows your pregnancy (our reading, not a source’s).
Treatment, including any antiviral medicine, is your doctor’s decision. For any other cold or flu remedy, with or without a prescription, ask your doctor or pharmacist first, and tell them you are pregnant and what else you take.
Which signs mean going to the emergency department now?
If you have any sign on either CDC list below, go to the nearest emergency department or call emergency services now. Do not wait for your next appointment.
CDC emergency warning signs of flu complications
From “Signs and Symptoms of Flu”, dated 26 August 2024. Written for adults, with no pregnancy-specific list.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen.
- Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse.
- Seizures.
- Not urinating.
- Severe muscle pain.
- Severe weakness or unsteadiness.
- Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen.
- Worsening of chronic medical conditions.
CDC urgent maternal warning signs
From “Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms”, dated 15 May 2024: 14 of the CDC’s 15 headings, the ones that apply during pregnancy, in the CDC’s order and wording. The 38°C comes from the line under the fever heading.
- Headache that won’t go away or gets worse over time.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Changes in your vision.
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
- Extreme swelling of your hands or face.
- Thoughts about harming yourself or your baby.
- Trouble breathing.
- Chest pain or fast-beating heart.
- Severe nausea and throwing up.
- Severe belly pain that doesn’t go away.
- Baby’s movement stopping or slowing during pregnancy.
- Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking during pregnancy.
- Severe swelling, redness, or pain of your leg or arm.
- Overwhelming tiredness.
The CDC says its flu lists are not all inclusive and to consult your medical provider about any other symptom that is severe or concerning. With any sign on either list, go to the nearest emergency department or call emergency services now.
Is the flu vaccine for pregnant women?
| Source | What it says about the flu vaccine and pregnancy | Date |
|---|---|---|
| WHO, fact sheet | Annual vaccination is recommended for pregnant women, among other groups. | 28 February 2025 |
| CDC, flu vaccine and pregnancy page | If you are pregnant you should get a flu shot, not the nasal spray vaccine. A flu vaccine can be given during any trimester and can also help protect a baby from flu after birth. | Page dated 17 September 2024 |
| NHS (UK), Flu vaccine | Lists pregnant women among those eligible, at any stage of pregnancy. With a high temperature, wait until you feel better before having it. | Reviewed 29 September 2026 |
Read 31 October 2026. Which vaccine suits you, and when, is for your doctor to say.
Ask the doctor who follows your pregnancy. Seasonal flu vaccine 2026/27 in Egypt sets out what the Ministry said about who, when and where.
In Egypt: what has the Ministry said about pregnancy and flu?
On 4 October 2026 the Ministry of Health and Population announced that seasonal flu vaccine is available at its non-routine vaccination offices in every governorate. Its deputy minister, Dr Amr Qandil, named pregnant women among the people most at risk of flu complications, with people aged 65 and over, children, people with chronic diseases, people with weakened immunity, health workers and others, and said to have the vaccine every year, well before winter begins (Masrawy, reporting the Ministry).
On 31 October 2026 we searched for an Egyptian official page on what a pregnant woman with flu symptoms should do and found none. That does not prove none exists, so the guidance above comes from WHO, the CDC and the NHS. How pregnancy follow-up is arranged is in pregnancy follow-up in Egypt, and the season ahead is in the winter 2026/27 planner.
What should I ask my doctor about flu in pregnancy?
- I am pregnant and have flu symptoms: should I be seen today, and where?
- What temperature, and which other signs, should make me call you or go to the emergency department?
- Does a prescription treatment for flu apply to me, and how soon would it have to start?
- Which cold or flu remedies, if any, are right for me in pregnancy, including ones sold without a prescription? (Ask the pharmacist too.)
- Have I had this season’s flu vaccine, should I have it, and which type?
- Does anything about my baby need checking during or after this illness?
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Frequently asked questions
Is flu dangerous in pregnancy?
WHO (28 February 2025) lists pregnant women among those at greater risk of severe flu or its complications, and the CDC (17 September 2024) says flu during pregnancy is more likely to cause illness that results in hospitalization. Your own risk is for your doctor to judge.
Is flu a sign of pregnancy?
The NHS’s list of signs that might mean you are pregnant (reviewed 31 July 2026) does not mention fever, cough or sore throat. A pregnancy test is how to find out.
Can I take flu medicine while pregnant?
This page names no medicine and cannot say. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before any cold or flu remedy, with or without a prescription, and tell them you are pregnant.
Which signs mean going to the emergency department?
The CDC lists above, such as trouble breathing, a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or your baby’s movement stopping or slowing. With any of them, go to the nearest emergency department or call emergency services now.
Medigize is a non-diagnostic navigation tool. This is general information, not medical advice. In an emergency, call an ambulance or go to the nearest emergency department.
Sources
- World Health Organization (WHO): Influenza (seasonal), fact sheet, dated 28 February 2025, read 31 October 2026
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Flu & Pregnancy, page dated 17 September 2024, read 31 October 2026
- CDC: Flu vaccine and pregnancy, page dated 17 September 2024, read 31 October 2026
- CDC: Signs and Symptoms of Flu, page dated 26 August 2024, read 31 October 2026
- CDC: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms, page dated 15 May 2024, read 31 October 2026
- NHS (UK): Flu, last reviewed 3 February 2026, read 31 October 2026
- NHS (UK): Flu vaccine, last reviewed 29 September 2026, read 31 October 2026
- NHS (UK): Signs and symptoms that might mean you’re pregnant, last reviewed 31 July 2026, read 31 October 2026
- Masrawy, 4 October 2026: the Ministry of Health and Population on flu vaccine at its non-routine vaccination offices, the groups it named and the remarks of the deputy minister and the spokesman (in Arabic), read 31 October 2026
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