Fever during pregnancy or after delivery

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Fever during pregnancy or after delivery

It is not unusual to develop a viral illness that causes a fever during pregnancy or after your delivery. Mild fevers that last only a short time usually are not a concern.

An ongoing fever that does not get better with home treatment, such as taking acetaminophen, or that does not improve after several days may mean that you have a more serious problem, such as a bacterial infection. Talk to your doctor if:

A fever develops and you have other health risks, such as diabetes or sickle cell disease.
A fever develops with other symptoms, such as symptoms of a kidney infection.
Dehydration develops.
A mild fever without an obvious cause lasts longer than 4 full days.
A fever without an obvious cause comes back more than once in 3 weeks.

Remember, fever is only a symptom. Often the importance of a fever can only be seen when other symptoms are present.

Credits

Author	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Liisa Honey, MD, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Updated	August 7, 2006

Last updated:	August 07, 2006
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine, Liisa Honey, MD, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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