28/01/2023
∆∆∆∆Dietary Management of 🤒 Fever∆∆∆∆
Fever 🤒 is the temporary increase in the temperature of the body in the response to a disease or illness.
A Child has a fever when the temperature is at or above on of these levels.
4°F (38°C) measured in the bottom (rectally)
5°F (37.5°C) measured in the mouth (orally)
99°F (37.2°C) measured under the arm (axillary)
An Adult probably has a fever when the temperature is above 99 – 99.5°F (37.2 – 37.5°C), depending on the time of day.
Normal body temperature may change during any given day. It is usually highest in the evening. Other factors that may affect body temperature are:
*A woman’s menstrual cycle. In the second part of this cycle, her temperature may go up by 1 degree or more.
*Physical activity, strong emotion, eating, heavy clothing, medications, high room temperature, and high humidity can all increase body temperature.
*Fever is an important part of the body’s defence against infection. Most bacteria and viruses that cause infections in people thrive best at 98.6°F. Many infants and children develop high fevers with mild viral illnesses. Although a fever signals that a battle might be going on in the body, the fever is fighting for, not against the person.
∆∆Causes of Fever:-
Fever occurs when an area in your brain called the hypothalamus— also known as your body’s “thermostat” — shifts the set point of the normal body temperature upward. When this happens, the person may feel chilled and add layers of clothing or wrap up in a blanket, or you may shiver to generate more body heat, eventually resulting in an elevated body temperature.
Normal body temperature varies throughout the day — it’s lower in the morning and higher in the late afternoon and evening. Although most people consider 98.6 F (37 C) normal, your body temperature can vary by a degree or more — from about 97 F (36.1 C) to 99 F (37.2 C) — and still be considered normal. Factors such as your menstrual cycle or heavy exercise can affect your temperature.
Fever or elevated body temperature might be caused by:
^A virus
^A bacterial infection
^Heat exhaustion
^Extreme sunburn
^Certain inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis — inflammation of the lining of your joints (synovium)
^A malignant tumor
^Some medications, such as antibiotics and drugs used to treat high blood pressure or seizures
^Some immunizations, such as the diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) or pneumococcal vaccine.
•••Signs and symptoms of Fever:-
Depending on what is causing your fever, fever signs and symptoms may include:
••Sweating
••Shivering
••Headache
••Muscle aches
••Loss of appetite
••Dehydration
••General weakness
*High fevers between 103 F (39.4 C) and 106 F (41.1 C) may cause:
••Hallucinations
••Confusion
••Irritability
••Convulsions
••Dehydration
∆∆Dietary management of Fever∆∆:-
Fever by itself is not an illness, it is body’s own way of fighting infection or sickness. Fevers are usually caused due to various infections such as bacteria, viral, fungal or immune mediated
Common symptoms during fever are as:
*Loss of appetite
*Lack of interest.
*Weakness
*Cold sweats
*In some cases there can even be vomiting, diarrhoea, cough and cold depending on the infection
*It is most important to manage all these conditions with good nutrition to alleviate the symptoms and make one feel comfortable.
√√The diet usually prescribed is a high calories, high protein, low fat and light fluid diet.
√√The first two or three days can be more of a fluid diet consisting of soups, glucose water, juice, milk (only if there is no diarrhoea). Give small frequent meal at regular interval, every two hours which can be gradually increased to every four hours.
√√Include foods which are soft, bland, easily digested and absorbed like gruels, cereal, milk, soft fruits like banana, papaya, orange, musambi, melons, etc.
√√Soft or mashed curd rice or softly boiled veggies can also be included.
××Fatty foods, spicy and high fibre foods are difficult to digest and should be avoided.
√√It is also very important to remember that during fever, there is an increased need of certain nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B, calcium, iron and sodium.
√√√√√√Foods that should be eaten in times of fever include:
••Fruit juices
••Glucose water
••Milk
••Coconut water
••Barley water
••Custards
••Egg
••Vegetable juices
••Soups
••Cereal preparation
••Tender meat
••Baked fish
••Butter milk with a pinch of salt
••Boiled leafy veggies
••Boiled veggies (carrots, beans, pumpkins, sweat potatoes)
••Orange and yellow fruits (citrus fruits).
×××××××Foods that should be avoided during the time of fever include:
••Butter
••Ghee
••Vegetable oil
••Irritating fibrous foods
••Fried foods
••Rich pastries
••Highly spiced preparations
••Strongly flavoured beverages.
••Cream soups.
¶¶Conclusion:-
Some things to keep in mind when managing fever condition include:
*Do not force someone to eat if he/she does not like it. Just stop and feed after a short interval.
*Make sure you get plenty of rest
*Take a sponge bath with room temperature – cool water to bring the fever down and make then feel comfortable.
*Dress them with light weight clothes and just cover with a light sheet.
*Stay in a room airy, well ventilated and maintain the right temperature, not too cold or too hot.
*If fever consistently spike above 102 to 103oF for 2 – 3 days you must call the doctor immediately.
*If you are a healthy eater and consumes a balanced diet that meets the daily requirements, you will be better able to fight off virus and bacteria infections.
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Diet For Fever Patients:-
{About Diet During Fever Diet Plan For Fever Patient - Food Items To Limit Do's And Dont's in Fever Diet Food Items List You Can Easily Consume in Fever}
When someone has the fever, the rate of burning calories increases with the increase in temperature. The body needs more calories to function properly in fever than it requires in an ordinary situation. Diet plan in fever is crucial for the immune system to function properly. Since more calories are burnt by the body in fever, one must have nutrient dense food to give energy to the immune system to function properly. A low-calorie diet in fever worsens symptoms and lengthens the duration of sickness.
√√√√The list of foods items listed below is beneficial for reducing fever:
√√Fluid-rich foods: Drink water, hot tea, fresh fruit juice. Intake of fluid-rich foods is recommended such as poultry broths, thin soups, coconut water.
√√Fresh fruits: Fruits like apples, oranges, watermelon, pineapple, kiwi are rich in vitamin C. This contains antioxidants that reduce fever.
°°Avoid fruits with heavy sugar and fruits canned in syrup because sugar inhibits the immune system. The banana provides vital nutrients and easy to digest.
√√Proper intake of proteins: Scrambled eggs, smoothie with low-fat milk, dal, chana or Indian cottage cheese are rich in protein and beneficial.
∆∆Diet Plan For Fever Patient - Food Items To Limit:
Butter,Ghee, Vegetable oil, Chilies, Spices, fiber rich foods, pastries, fried snacks, deserts, thick cream soups should be avoided as they increase the chances of prolonged stay of illness. Infection will reduce the capacity of your digestive system and the medicines used for the treatment may kill all the helpfull microbes, so foods rich in fiber and fats will irritate your stomach. And it's better avoid consumption of high spicy foods in fever because it will give burning sensation in the stomach.
=Do's And Dont's in Fever:
√√Do's:
••Wash your hands frequently, especially before preparing a meal.
••Cooking kills typhoid, so if you are eating out, make sure the food (meat, fish or vegetables, whatever it is that you're eating) has been thoroughly cooked and is being served steaming hot.
••Only eat peeled fruits and vegetables.
••Make sure your drinking water is boiled or treated.
••Clean water can become contaminated again if it is not stored safely. So make sure to store the drinking water in a clean container with a small opening or a cover. Use it within 4 hours.
••Drink more water( Min 6-8 glass)
••Drink boiled and properly filtered water
Include good quality proteins(eggs, meat paste, fish, poultry) in properly cooked form.
××Dont's:
••Typhoid is quite common in areas with poor hygiene, so avoid roadside stalls.
••Avoid handling food or any other household things if there is a risk of spreading the disease.
••Don't go for heavy meals, split your heavy meals and do frequent small meals.
••Avoid high fiber foods.
√√••Diet Food Items List You Can Easily Consume in Fever
^Cereals: Properly cooked white rice, white bread
^Pulses: Thin dhal
Vegetables: Properly cooked and mashed Potatoes, Carrots, Ashguard, Carrots
^Fruits: Banana(small),Oranges and Apple( Without skin),Tender Coconut water.
^Milk and Milk products: Yoghurt, Buttermilk.
^Meat, Fish and Egg: Boiled egg, stewed fish.
^Oil: 1Tbsp/ day( Olive oil, Mustard Oil, Rice bran Oil, Canola oil
^Sugar: 2 Tsp/ day.
Dt. Pratima Bhowmik
Dietician (Clinical) ,CDE
Be healthy 🙂🙏
