Feed a fever - not a cold

A bout of fever can leave the body exhausted and depleted of vitamins and other nutrients. Thus there is no medical basis for the saying, 'Feed a cold, and starve a fever'. If anything, you need more calories than normal if you have a raised temperature. In fact, your metabolic rate rises by about 7% for every 1 degree Celsius your body temperature rises above normal.

The trouble is, fever usually contributes to a poor appetite, so a patient with a fever should drink plenty of liquids such as diluted fruit juices and, if not suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting, be encouraged to eat light, nourishing meals. They may be tempted by nutritious snacks such as homemade soups, custards and bananas.