Flu Like Body Aches In Early Pregnancy

There are a few signs of pregnancy which indeed are similar to flu signs, especially during early pregnancy. Actually, the very first pregnancy symptoms might be sensations of never-ending flu. Flu signs shouldn`t last over 2 weeks. If you experience these particular signs and there`s a slight chance for you to be pregnant, take into account a pregnancy test to be certain.

Relationship between Pregnancy & Flu in Early Pregnancy

So, what`s the relation between pregnancy and flu? Your BBT will change due to your period and usually divided into two different phases – the low BBT and the high BBT phase.

When you are not expecting a baby and you have a period each month as usual, the basal body temperature drops and your body will enter the low BBT phase. Still, if you do expect a child, the BBT is high and will stay this way for a while.

Along with your flu-like pregnancy symptom, you will also have other signs such as fatigue, fever or lightheadedness. Additionally, you may experience pain, cough or swollen lymph nodes. These are symptoms of early pregnancy all. This represents a symptom that the body prepares itself for the future baby to be able to develop.

The high basal body temperature represents the result of the changes in the hormonal levels. These changes occurred in the early pregnancy might affect how the automatic nervous system of the body steers its internal organs.

You may get the flu as this is the defense response of the body to the virus invasion – keep in mind that the immunity is lowered at this point.

Related: How To Relieve Constipation During Pregnancy?

Recent & Studies

You may believe that mild flu-type signs, like some fatigue, a minor headache or a bit of achiness, will not affect a pregnancy that much. However, recent studies indicate that such signs might leave a mark for quite some time after they are gone.

Some scientists from an University from the Southern California took a look at the way the immunity of pregnant mice responded to a chemical substance which was similar to a viral infection. Here`s what took place: Tryptophan levels (an amino acid which activates immunity) increased, which led to the placenta producing increased levels of serotonin, which actually in turn led to the production of higher serotonin amounts in the brain of the mice babies.

It doesn`t sound very dangerous! In fact, what Alexandre Bonnin, the study`s senior, said: “Serotonin is essential for the development of the brain and could modulate how is the fetal brain wired.”

However, there can always too much of something good happening, at least when we talk about serotonin in the brain. “Answering to the increased levels of serotonin from the placenta, the brain of the mice babies stunted its serotonin neuron genesis, perhaps due to the fact that receptors “felt” there`s excessive amounts of serotonin in there,” said Alexandre Bonnin in his study`s release. “This might be an issue, especially when it leads to the brain`s front not being well developed.”

This study targeted to detect why or how even small immune attack (such as flu) affect the central nervous system of the baby. Previous research has associated this kind of attacks in pregnancy to schizophrenia, autism and cognitive delay in babies.

Can this mean that if you get the flu while pregnant, you will immediately put the baby in jeopardy for a malfunction related to the central nervous system? Not really! According to Alexandre Bonnin, inflammation as well as viral infections while pregnant don`t guarantee malfunctions associated with the central nervous system in babies.

Bonnin also said that “in the 1^st trimester of pregnancy, if the mother will get infected with the flu, the risk for her offspring to develop schizophrenia fifteen years later is increased.” This doesn`t really mean that if the mother experiences the flu, the baby actually experience this condition; however, the risk is rather increased.

Increased Temperature

When it comes to pregnancy, one of the flu-type of symptoms is a rise in temperature. For women charting their BBT, you`ll notice this particular increase following ovulation. According to Taking Charge of your Fertility, Toni Weschler`s book, a high BBT which lasts for more than 18 days shows a pregnancy.

The main difference is only how increased the temperature will be. The temperature in pregnancy will definitely be higher that it normally is, but shouldn`t go over 37.7°C. Fevers related to the flue are a lot higher than those higher-than-normal temperatures related to pregnancy.

Nausea

From serious vomiting to mild nausea, this particular sign might show either a pregnancy or the flu. According to the CDC, vomiting as well as upset stomach aren`t a frequently flu sign encountered in adults, although it might happen in some people.

If you don`t typically experience upset stomach with the flu, or if these particular signs aren`t attenuating, you should get in touch with a doctor.

Fatigue

Metabolism changes, the efforts of the body to develop the child and various hormonal changes might lead to a general sensation of fatigue during early pregnancy. Lots of women become so tired that by dinnertime they already feel the need to go to bed.

The fatigue is kind of the same with that of the flu, but it has the tendency of lasting longer the than 1^st trimester, which is longer than when the flu is concerned.

Congestion & Headaches

As you already know, the flue is the result of a virus which tends to attack the respiratory system and lead to runny nose, congestion, headaches. In fact, that is a pregnancy sign as well.

The changes of the hormones and increased blood supply which happens during pregnancy lead to the swelling of the nose and membranes of the sinuses, which in the end produce mucus. The pressure can lead to headaches in certain women as well.

Misconceptions

Lots of women are reporting flu-like signs as early pregnancy symptoms – back pain, fatigue, headache or nasal congestion are frequently encountered in both conditions. If serious sore throat, cough with/without mucus and fever are experienced, these flu-type signs are more prone because of a flu or cold than pregnancy. If a woman is expecting, these flu-like signs are probably caused by flu or cold which has coincided with the woman`s conception and not really the pregnancy itself.

Fever, Flu & Pregnancy

During the woman`s cycle, the BBT will raises its levels. While these particular increases are a bit subtle, they could be tracked in order to try and predict when ovulation occurs and fortunately aid with conception.

It`s essential to take into consideration that neither conception or ovulation will normally raise BBT to levels of fever. If there should be a temperature of 38°C, it`s a lot more likely for fever to be the result of a medical condition or infection than pregnancy.

Time Line for Pregnancy Symptoms

Frequently, the most obvious pregnancy symptom is a missed period. Signs could be detected from the very first missed menstruation, although certain women have reported fatigue or breast changes before noticing their period is late.

For women who have symptoms of flu and pregnancy, and might suspect they are expecting a baby, taking a home pregnancy might be the responsible thing to do at this point.