A fever signals that the body is combating an infection or illness. This elevated temperature is a natural defense, creating an environment less favorable for pathogens. Individuals often experience appetite changes during a fever. Proper nourishment and hydration can support recovery.
Understanding Your Appetite During Fever
When the body develops a fever, appetite often diminishes. This reduction in hunger is a physiological response orchestrated by the immune system. During an infection, the body releases chemical messengers called cytokines, which can directly influence the brain to suppress appetite.
Reduced appetite conserves energy, redirecting it toward the immune response. This temporary loss of appetite is a normal part of being unwell. While it may feel counterintuitive, this mechanism prioritizes the immune system’s immediate demands.
Prioritizing Hydration
Maintaining adequate hydration is a more pressing concern than eating during a fever. Fever increases fluid loss through sweating as the body cools itself, and metabolic rates can also increase, contributing to fluid depletion. Proper hydration prevents dehydration, supports temperature regulation, and ensures essential bodily functions.
Clear fluids are well-tolerated and beneficial. Choices include plain water, clear broths, and diluted fruit juices. Electrolyte solutions help replenish salts lost through sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea. Herbal teas also provide hydration and soothing effects. Limit or avoid sugary sodas, alcohol, and excessive caffeine, as these can act as diuretics and worsen dehydration or cause inflammation.
Foods to Choose and Foods to Avoid
When you have a fever, select easy-to-digest, nutrient-dense foods to support recovery. Plain toast, crackers, rice, and simple pasta are well-tolerated, gentle on the stomach, and provide carbohydrates for energy. Fruits like applesauce and bananas are easy to consume, supply calories, and offer potassium, helpful if fluid loss occurs. Lean proteins such as scrambled eggs, chicken, or fish like salmon are good choices, providing amino acids for immune function and being digestible.
Cooked vegetables are preferred over raw during a fever; cooking softens fibers, making them easier to digest while still providing vitamins and minerals. Chicken soup and other broths are effective, offering hydration, electrolytes, and protein, with comforting warmth. Oatmeal is a soft, soothing option delivering complex carbohydrates for sustained energy. Eating smaller, more frequent meals avoids overwhelming the digestive system and allows gradual nutrient absorption.
Some foods should be limited or avoided during a fever as they can be difficult to digest or exacerbate symptoms. Fatty or greasy foods, like fried items, can upset the stomach and slow digestion, diverting energy from the immune response. Spicy foods may irritate the digestive system and worsen nausea. Highly processed foods, often containing excessive sugar, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives, offer minimal nutritional value and can contribute to inflammation.
Raw vegetables, due to high fiber, can cause gas and bloating when the digestive system is compromised. Sugary snacks and beverages provide empty calories that do not contribute to nutritional needs and can affect immune function. While individual tolerance varies, some find dairy products increase mucus production, which might be uncomfortable if respiratory symptoms are present.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While many fevers resolve with home care, certain signs indicate the need for medical evaluation. For adults, a temperature of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher warrants a call to a healthcare provider. If a fever persists for more than three days in adults or five days in children, seek medical advice.
Other symptoms signaling a need for medical attention include:
Severe pain, such as an intense headache, abdominal pain, or a stiff neck.
Difficulty breathing, a new rash, or changes in mental state like confusion, unusual behavior, altered speech, or extreme sleepiness.
Persistent vomiting or signs of severe dehydration, such as significantly decreased urination or dizziness.
For infants younger than three months, any fever requires immediate assessment by a healthcare provider.