Birth control pills should be avoided when patients have the flu. In some cases the patient is allowed to stay on the pill so the doctor should be notified to see what is best for the patient.

Patients should contact the doctor when experiencing either diarrhea or vomiting. This might mean the patient cannot absorb the birth control pill. Back up methods are available to patients that cannot absorb it.

The doctor should also be notified if the patient starts running a fever when taking pills. This might be either part of the flu or a side effect from the pill. Only the doctor can confirm if it is a side effect or if it is the flu and then the doctor will decide what to do next. Sometimes the patient might not even have the flu. It could be serious side effects from the birth control pill and that is another reason why the doctor should be notified.