Introduction

Fever is described as an elevation of body temperature above the normal, resulting from an imbalance between the heat produced in the body and that eliminated from the body. Fever in itself is not a disease but is a considered as a sign of any infection or inflammation. Some of the metabolic effects of fever are:-

• Increase in the BMR which is almost 7% for every degree rise in temperature.
• Decreased glycogen stores from the adipose tissue.
• Increased catabolism of proteins due to infection.
• Accelerated loss of body fluids owing to increased perspiration and excretion of wastes.
• Increased excretion of sodium and potassium.
• G.I metabolism gets altered due to altered motility of Gastrointestinal tract.

Dietary guidelines

• Due to increased BMR, energy requirements get increased specifically if the temperature is high and prolonged. So easy to digest cereals and pulses should be included with moderate amount of fat, sugar, honey etc as they help to enhance the energy content of the food.
• High protein diet should be given including milk and milk products, whey protein, egg, chicken and fish.
• As glycogen stores get depleted, so liberal intake of CHO should be taken to meet the calorie requirement. Sweetened beverages, fruits or fruit juices should be taken as they help in reserving of glycogen.
• Emulsified form of fat’s should be included in the diet as cream or butter to increase the energy intakes well as they maintain the body reserves and can be easily digested.
• Fried foods should be avoided as they are not better tolerated and may cause nausea.
• Adequate amount of fruits and vegetables should be included in the diet as they contain good amount of micronutrients like vitamins and minerals which are lost due to many metabolic changes.
• Have plenty of fluid as losses of fluid from skin via perspiration have been increased. Fluid intake should be increased in the form of juice, soups, milk, buttermilk, water etc. Adequate fluid intake helps in maintaining adequate urine output which facilitates waste excretion.

Lifestyle modification

• As BMR is increased have plenty of easy to digest foods at an interval of 2 hrs.
• Try to have small walks in between the meals so that blood circulation becomes active.
• Don’t skim the meals at its delay the effect of medicines and also affect the peristaltic movement.

Diet equation for calculation of calories intake

For males:
(66.47) + (13.75 * weight in kg) + (5.0 * height in cm) – (6.78 * Age in years)

For females:
(655.10) + (9.56 * weight in kg) + (1.85 * height in cm) – (4.68 * Age in years)

Sample menu according to Indian diet

Approx total calories:
Energy 2000Kcal, Protein 75gm, Fat 45gm, Carbohydrates 325gm