What should I do if I have no appetite and don't feel like eating due to fever?
Oct 14, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhao Haiming
Introduction
If fever is accompanied by loss of appetite and unwillingness to eat, the treatment depends on the underlying cause. If it's due to a cold, antibiotic therapy may be used. If it's caused by indigestion, prokinetic agents that enhance gastric motility can be administered. If it's acute gastroenteritis, medications that protect the gastric mucosa are recommended. Regardless of the cause, for patients with body temperature exceeding 38.5°C, antipyretic drugs such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be added.
Loss of appetite and unwillingness to eat during fever should be managed according to the underlying cause, with common causes including colds, indigestion, and acute gastroenteritis.
1. Cold
If fever, loss of appetite, and reluctance to eat are caused by exposure to cold or a bacterial infection leading to the common cold, antibiotic medications may be used under a doctor's guidance. Commonly used drugs include amoxicillin and cefaclor.
2. Indigestion
If symptoms result from overeating or consuming excessive greasy foods causing indigestion, medications that enhance gastric motility may be used as advised by a physician. Commonly prescribed drugs include mosapride and domperidone.
3. Acute Gastroenteritis
If symptoms are due to consuming unclean, raw, or irritating foods, or caused by bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections leading to acute gastroenteritis, medications that protect the gastric mucosa may be used as directed by a doctor. Commonly used drugs include aluminum magnesium carbonate and sucralfate.
Regardless of the cause of the above symptoms, if body temperature exceeds 38.5°C, antipyretic medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be added.
