How to Reduce Fever During Pregnancy

Medically reviewed by Lacy Windham, MD

Last Updated: June 20, 2021 References Approved

Research suggests that you may be able to bring down a high fever by taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) and using cooling blankets, though you need to check with your doctor first.^{[1]
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Research source} A fever is your body's natural response to an infection or injury, so you'll likely need to treat the underlying cause before you'll get better. Studies show that a high fever during pregnancy might be harmful, so it's important to see your doctor.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source} Try not to worry because having a fever is a normal, common experience, and your doctor can help you recover as fast as possible.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Reducing Fever During Pregnancy

1
Consult your doctor or midwife. It is always important you talk to your healthcare provider first to let her know your symptoms and to confirm there is nothing to be concerned about. Your doctor can also diagnose the underlying cause for fever and treat it instead of just treating the symptom itself.
- Some common causes for fever during pregnancy include cold, flu, food poisoning, and urinary tract infection (see next section for more details). ^{[3]
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- Do not wait to contact your doctor if the fever is associated with other symptoms, such as rash, nausea, contractions, or abdominal pain. ^{[4]
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- Go to the hospital if you have a fever and your water breaks.^{[5]
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- Contact your doctor if your fever does not improve within 24-36 hours or immediately if you experience a fever above 100.4 F. ^{[6]
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- A prolonged fever can have negative effects on the baby and/or increase the risk of miscarriage. If you are unable to get the fever down, contact your healthcare provider or midwife for further instructions.^{[7]
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- Unless your doctor advises otherwise, you can try the next steps to reduce fever.
2
Take a lukewarm bath. A bath or a shower is an effective way to reduce fever. This is because when water evaporates off your skin it will draw heat and helps lower your body temperature.^{[8]
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- Do not use cold water as this can lead to shivers which in turn can increase your body temperature.
- Do not use rubbing alcohol in the bath water because the vapors can cause harm.
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3
Place a cool, wet washcloth over your forehead. One way to reduce fever is to place a cool, dampened washcloth over your forehead. This helps draw heat out of your body and reduces your body temperature. ^{[9]
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- Another way to bring down fever is by using an overhead or standing fan to help remove heat from your body. Sit or lie under a fan. Use it on a low setting so you do not get chilled. ^{[10]
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4
Drink lots of fluids. It is important that you keep your body well hydrated and replenish the water that is lost during fever.^{[11]
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- Drinking water helps keep you hydrated but also helps cool your body from the inside out.
- Eat warm broths or chicken soup that provide extra fluids.
- Drink beverages high in vitamin C, such as orange juice, or add a splash of lemon to your water.
- You can also try electrolyte drinks to replenish lost minerals and glucose. ^{[12]
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5
Get plenty of rest. Often times, fever is a normal reaction that occurs when your body fights off an infection. Thus, it is important you get plenty of rest to allow your immune system to do its job.^{[13]
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MedlinePlus
Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine
Go to source}
- Stay in bed and avoid excessive stress and activity.
- If you are experiencing dizziness, it is important you lie down and avoid moving around to reduce the risk of stumbling or falling.
6
Wear only one layer of clothes. Do not overdress when pregnant, especially if you have fever. Wearing several layers of clothes can lead to overheating.^{[14]
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Research source} If your body temperature remains elevated, it can lead to heat stroke or even premature labor. ^{[15]
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- Dress in a single layer of light, breathable fabric, such as cotton, that will allow for proper air circulation.
- Use a sheet or a thin blanket to cover yourself but only if needed.
7
Remember to take your prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins can help boost your immune system and help maintain vitamin and mineral balance.^{[16]
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- Take your prenatal vitamins with plenty of water after a meal.
8
Take a fever-reducing medication. Ask your healthcare provider or midwife if it is safe for you to take a fever-reducing medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). Acetaminophen (or paracetamol) can be used to lower fever and can make you feel more comfortable, while your body fights off the underlying cause of fever.^{[17]
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- Acetaminophen is usually considered safe for pregnant women; however, it should not be taken in combination with caffeine (such as migraine pills).^{[18]
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  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  Go to source}
- You should not take aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (such as ibuprofen) when you are pregnant. Taking these medications can affect your baby’s development. If you are unsure what you can or cannot take, ask your doctor.^{[19]
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  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
- If acetaminophen does not bring down your fever, contact your healthcare provider or midwife immediately.
9
Avoid homeopathic medications. Talk to your healthcare provider or midwife before taking any homeopathic or over-the-counter medications as some of these may affect your baby.^{[20]
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- This includes large amounts of vitamins, Echinacea, or any other homeopathic remedies.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Knowing the Common Reasons for Fever During Pregnancy

1
Determine if you experience the symptoms of a common cold. A viral cold, also called an upper respiratory infection, ^{[21]
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Research source} is a common cause for fever during pregnancy. Most of us have experienced a seasonal cold at some point in our lives but with a suppressed immune system during pregnancy, the risk of getting a cold is higher.^{[22]
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- Symptoms are usually mild and include fever (100 F or higher), chills, runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches, and cough.^{[23]
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- Unlike bacterial infections, viral illnesses cannot be treated with antibiotics and usually resolve after your own immune system fights off the virus. ^{[24]
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- Drink plenty of fluids and try the normal home remedies mentioned in the first section to reduce fever and make yourself more comfortable.
- If you do not feel better within 3-4 days or if your symptoms worsen, call your doctor or midwife.
2
Recognize the symptoms of the flu. Similar to the common cold, the flu (influenza) is a viral illness that causes upper respiratory symptoms. ^{[25]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} However, the symptoms tend to be more severe compared with the cold.^{[26]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Symptoms of the flu include chills, fever (100 F or above), fatigue, headache, runny nose, cough, muscle aches, vomiting, and nausea. ^{[27]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- If you believe you have the flu while pregnant, you need to seek medical attention immediately. ^{[28]
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- There is no specific treatment for the flu besides treating the symptoms. Your doctor may recommend antiviral medication to lessen the time of the illness and reduce the risk of complications. Many pregnant women do need to be treated with Tamiflu or amantadine if they are diagnosed with the flu because some flu strains are more lethal to pregnant women than the general population.^{[29]
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  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
- Stay home and get plenty of rest and fluids. Follow the steps in the first section to reduce fever and make yourself more comfortable.
3
Identify the symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI). A possible cause for fever during pregnancy (and otherwise) is a UTI, which is a bacterial infection that affects your urinary tract system (the urethra, ureters, kidneys, and bladder).^{[30]
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Research source}^{[31]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- UTI happens when bacteria gain access to your urinary tract and cause infection.^{[32]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Symptoms of UTI include fever, urge to urinate, burning sensation when urinating, cloudy or red-brown-colored urine, and pelvic pain.^{[33]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- UTI can be effectively treated with certain antibiotics and thus, it is important you contact your doctor if you have any symptoms.^{[34]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- You may also want to try cranberry juice although this has not been scientifically proven to treat UTI.^{[35]
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  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- If not treated, you can risk complications to yourself (kidney infection) or to your baby, including low birth weight, preterm delivery, sepsis, respiratory failure, and death.^{[36]
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  American Academy of Family Physicians
  Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities
  Go to source}
4
Recognize the signs of gastrointestinal virus. If your fever is associated with vomiting and diarrhea, you may suffer from a stomach flu (gastroenteritis), which is most often caused by a virus.^{[37]
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Research source}^{[38]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Symptoms of stomach flu include fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, and headache.^{[39]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- There is no treatment for viral stomach flu but luckily majority of the cases resolve on their own. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and take steps to reduce fever. ^{[40]
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  Trustworthy Source
  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
  Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
- If you are unable to hold liquids down after 24 hours, become dehydrated, there is blood in your vomit, or if your fever is above 101 F, seek medical attention immediately. ^{[41]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- The main complication of stomach flu is dehydration. If you become severely dehydrated, you may have contractions or even go into preterm labor. Thus, it is essential that you contact your doctor or go to the hospital if you experience severe diarrhea and vomiting and cannot keep any liquids inside.^{[42]
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5
Know the symptoms of listeriosis. Pregnant women with weakened immune system have higher risk of getting a bacterial infection called listeriosis.^{[43]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- This infection can be contracted from animals, food, or soil that are contaminated with the bacteria.^{[44]
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  US Food and Drug Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
  Go to source}
- Symptoms include fever, chills, shivering, muscle aches, diarrhea, and fatigue.^{[45]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- Listeriosis can be very dangerous to the baby and mother and if left untreated can cause miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.^{[46]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- If you suspect listeriosis, contact your doctor immediately to receive antibiotic treatment.^{[47]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}

Warnings

Always consult your health care provider if you have a fever while pregnant. A temperature above 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C) could be dangerous to yourself and your baby. A high fever may increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defects, especially early in the pregnancy.

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If the fever lasts longer than 24-36 hours or is associated with other symptoms, such as nausea, rash, pain, dehydration, breathing difficulties or seizures, contact your doctor.

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