My Child has fever, doctor!

28th September 2018

Its that time of the year when children are afflicted by diseases of all sorts, the season of changing weather, humidity, monsoons and mosquitoes. It brings in its wake, a variety of ailments ranging from common flu, body pains and serious bleeding fevers like the Dengue fever. Mom: He is having fever for 3 days, and this rash since today morning. Three days back he ate meat, and then the fever started. Doc: He has got measles. Give him plenty of fluids, rest and good, nutritious food, so that body is strong to fight the fever. Mom: Sorry doctor, but I think the meat caused the fever. We have stopped giving him meat, egg, chicken, milk or any heavy food. Knowing what to expect when your child is sick, and having a few home remedies is always handy when it comes to tackling the viral fevers. Increasingly laid out for all to see, and fast becoming a fixture of many a discussion is the issue pertaining to food fads related to fever. What are the foods which are suitable for my child when s/he is suffering from fever, measles or cough? What will make them more sick and what foods can make my children better? Is it better to restrict food, and not feed “heavy” foods like meat, egg and chicken, the best way to tackle viral fevers? Or feeding everything is allowed and desirable? Is there a diet we can fall back on, to weather critical illnesses? Sadly, there is no such diet which can instantaneously cure illnesses. This article attempts to analyze this much discussed issue of foods and food fads in illnesses and argue that feeding the child, rather than starving oneself in the name of healthy foods, is the solution to the problem. A quick perusal of the issue at hand would throw up a surfeit of seminal reasons supporting some common beliefs that feeding should be restricted during acute illnesses. Few common beliefs include, avoiding chicken, egg, meat and milk, restricting water and other fluids, avoiding “cold foods” like fruits, rice, cream, etc.as being good for health during fever – it detoxifies the system and allows body to heal better. It is commonly believed that the above listed foods causes increase in body temperature, increases cough production, and hence, prolong the duration of fever and/or cough, common colds etc. Mom: I gave him ground papaya leaf and rice water. He stopped eating everything after that. Please give some tonic to improve his appetite. However, if we are honest about it, we can see that there is no real scientific basis to the idea of “cold food” or “warm food”. If the contrary was true, i.e, sustaining on rice water diet and herbal remedies would cure illnesses, then the need of medical science as a reparative tool for our ailing bodies would have gone out of practice a long time ago. On the contrary, anecdotal evidence and many longitudinal studies suggest that protein rich diet is indeed needed to provide building materials for the body, forfighting infections and repairing cells affected by illnesses – which indicates the ineffectiveness of the whole measure of food restrictions during acute illnesses. Doctor: Food restrictions and reduced feeding during measles and diarrhoea add to undernutrition and causes more severe diseases. Do not restrict food during acute illness. Reduced appetite is a natural course of illness during fevers, and further restrictions on what one might eat would definitely take the fun out of eating. Imagine trying to feed a nauseated child, ground leaves of papaya or touch – me – nots! When you or your loved one has a flu, the last thing on your mind is ususally, food. The taste buds stop working and even the most delectable delecacies become tasteless and offer no comfort to the aching body and spirit. Most of us just want to lie down and sleep, yes that is the best treatment for most of the viral illnesses. It is alright to eat less during flu, as the appetite is usually reduced. However,you will still need to eat small amounts of energy rich and protein rich foods to help your body fight the fever and repair the ailing cells. Additionally providing succor to my line of thought are the various researches done on nutrition in various illnesses. There is clear evidence in medical literaure supporting the fact that diet should not be restricted during acute phase or convalescing phase of an illness. Olden day beliefs which led to feeding children on water alone diets during acute diarrhoea and dehydration, contributed significantly to under five malnutrition, and subsequent mortality. The same is the story in measles, and chicken pox, and various other viral infections. The WHO has provided pre made calorie and protein dense food preparations to combat the issue of malnutrition following hyper catabolic states like viral illnesses. Dad: Lucy, he seems to be getting better since you started giving him everything to eat! So, what are some of the easy and nutritious foods you can prepare at home, to give your child? Diet best for your child would be high calorie, high protein, low fat and high fluid diet. 1. Continue breast feeding, breast milk is the easiest and safest and most comforting food for your infant. It has the bonus of having antibodies to fight off the infection. 2. Chicken soup, rice – dal soup 3. Mashed fruits can be made into interesting foods at home like popsicles 4. Ginger tea, ginger has antioxidant properties, and it helps to boost your child’s immunity 5. Cereal in milk 6. Bananas, coconut water, local seasonal fruits 7. Dal Khichdi – a soft mixture of rice with sauted lentils 8. Ice creams or other treats he demands – its better to allow the child to get some calories, than starving him in the name of healthy foods 9. If your child is fond of noodles, by all means offer it to him. 10. Anything else that he/she feels like having! Me: My mom is the best because she does what is best for me!