Is it feed a cold, starve a fever? Or the other way around?

Question

And what exactly does starving or feeding a sickness do?

Answer 1

You've got it right.

But really it doesn't matter either way.

The saying most likely came from the fact that most people don't feel like eating when they have a fever but will probably still have an appetite with a cold.

But neither are true for some and you should always eat something nourishing (even if it's just a few crackers to keep your body from being too hungry) and definitely drink plenty of fluids with either.

Starving or feeding a sickness won't speed up or slow down your recovery. It may make you feel better for a while. Most people don't tend to eat after they've been throwing up or had diarrhea all day and some people enjoy a bowl of hot soup when their nose is dripping but those just mask symptoms. They won't get rid of the infection.

So, do what you feel like and what your body will allow. Take it easy and take any medicines prescribed but following the feed a cold, starve a fever method is just an old wives' tale.

Answer 2

It does absolutely nothing. Neither of those things work, only time will work. There are no medications to cure a virus..just time. 7-14 days is the usual.

Answer 3

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