Is it feed a cold and starve a fever, or is it starve a cold and feed a fever? The first would make sense since your body temp rises when you eat.
2006-11-06 03:14:35 · 7 answers · asked by bbjones9 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
another old wives tale resurfaces.
Fact is both are viral infections and are best dealt with by lots of bed rest, keeping really warm (yep the "sweat it out" thing does help a lot) and drink lots of fluids. Whether you eat or not is more to do with your degree of nausea at the time. However, for any illness (other than digestive tract ones) you do need to keep up your strength to fight it off so eating is always good if you can keep it down.
Also, while modern medicine has not come up with a cure for the common cold or the flu, there are some natural remedies that might help you. One of course is vitamins in proper doses in case you are not getting lots via food. Another one I discovered was garlic and cayenne capsules which might help boost your immune system and raise body temperature. And if all else fails, there is always chicken noodle soup; and grandma was right - it does make you feel better.
2006-11-06 03:24:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the first one....feed a cold and starve a fever. I don't know where that originated from, but I'm sure there is some logic behind it. But with either one, the important thing is to take in plenty of fluids, and if the fever is high enough or lasts long enough to cause concern, get to your doctor. Fever is the bodies way of fighting infection, so you'd need to take care of that.
2006-11-06 03:19:08 · answer #2 · answered by nursepjill 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be honest neither of them is right...you should eat and drink when you are sick..not a lot but something. Your body is trying hard to fight the cold and possible infection...it needs nourishment to be able to do this properly. do yourself a favour....dont take medicine to bring the fever down..let your body burn...its a fever because of germs and infection...let it do what it is designed for! Watch that it doesnt go over 104....but a low grade fever is best left alone.... the infection will be gone much quicker that way and your immune system will be stronger.
2006-11-06 03:40:06 · answer #3 · answered by Lynne B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, ok I have heard always to feed a cold and starve a fever.
I have heard this from my 90 yr old Aunt for 30 years so there you have it...Aunt Mae can't be wrong!!
2006-11-06 03:24:09 · answer #4 · answered by Tabor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
starve a fever and feed a cold...
2006-11-06 03:16:55 · answer #5 · answered by jack jack 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither one is a good idea. when you are sick your body needs nourishment to get well. so as long as you are not vimiting eat a well balanced diet and drink lots of liqueds--esp. water. the saying is an old wifes tale.
2006-11-06 03:18:20 · answer #6 · answered by wild&free 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the first one is right
2006-11-06 03:17:52 · answer #7 · answered by gardener24 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋