What can I drink for fever and chills? A comprehensive guide to hydration

October 16, 2025 •

4 min read

When a fever causes sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea, your risk of dehydration significantly increases. Staying well-hydrated is one of the most critical aspects of managing symptoms and supporting your body's fight against infection. So, what can I drink for fever and chills to promote a speedy recovery?

Quick Summary

This guide covers the best hydrating options to help you recover from a fever, including water, electrolyte solutions, nourishing broths, and soothing herbal teas, along with fluids to avoid for faster healing.

Key Points

Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of clear fluids like water, broths, and herbal teas to prevent dehydration caused by sweating during a fever.
Replenish Electrolytes: Electrolyte solutions or oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are essential, especially with vomiting or diarrhea, to restore lost salts and minerals.
Choose Soothing Warmth: Warm beverages such as herbal teas (ginger, peppermint, chamomile) and chicken broth can provide comfort, ease congestion, and help regulate body temperature during chills.
Avoid Dehydrating and Sugary Drinks: Steer clear of caffeinated drinks, high-sugar beverages, and alcohol, as they can worsen dehydration and interfere with your recovery.
Consider Homemade Options: A simple homemade electrolyte solution can be made with water, salt, and sugar, providing a cost-effective alternative to store-bought options.
Focus on Rest: Combining proper hydration with adequate rest gives your immune system the best chance to effectively fight the infection and speed up recovery.

The Importance of Hydration During Fever

When your body is fighting an infection, your internal thermostat is reset to a higher temperature, causing fever. This process expends a lot of energy and can cause you to lose fluids through sweating. Dehydration can exacerbate your symptoms, making you feel worse and potentially prolonging your illness. Staying consistently hydrated helps regulate your body temperature, lubricates mucous membranes to ease congestion, and helps your kidneys flush out waste. Providing your body with a consistent intake of the right fluids is essential for both comfort and recovery.

Your Best Fluid Choices for Fever and Chills

Plain Water: The most essential beverage, water is crucial for all bodily functions and helps flush toxins. Sip it consistently throughout the day. Ensure it is clean and filtered if possible.
Electrolyte Solutions: When you experience significant fluid loss from vomiting or diarrhea, electrolyte-rich drinks are vital for replenishing lost minerals like sodium and potassium.
- Store-bought options: Pediatric oral rehydration solutions (ORS) like Pedialyte are excellent choices for both children and adults. Sugar-free sports drinks like Gatorade can also work, but be mindful of the sugar content.
- Natural options: Coconut water is a good source of potassium and is naturally low in sugar, though it may be low in sodium.
- Homemade solution: Mix 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of sugar into 1 liter of clean water to create a basic electrolyte drink.
Warm Broths and Soups: A cup of warm chicken or vegetable broth offers not only fluids but also sodium and other nutrients that can aid hydration. The warmth can also be very soothing and help with congestion. Chicken soup, in particular, has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Herbal Teas: Warm teas can help with various symptoms and are a great way to stay hydrated.
- Ginger Tea: Excellent for soothing nausea and reducing inflammation.
- Peppermint Tea: Acts as a natural decongestant and has antimicrobial properties.
- Chamomile Tea: Offers a soothing effect, aids in relaxation, and promotes better sleep.
- Sage Tea: Can be a good choice for fevers accompanied by shivering.
- Honey and Lemon Water: A classic remedy, warm water with lemon and honey can soothe a sore throat and boost vitamin C intake. Remember, never give honey to babies under one year old.
Diluted Juices and Fruit: While high-sugar juices are best avoided, diluted fruit juice can be a good source of fluids and some vitamins. Popsicles made from real fruit juice are another kid-friendly option.

Comparison of Hydrating Drinks for Fever and Chills


Drink Type	Hydration Level	Electrolytes?	Additional Benefits	Considerations
Plain Water	Excellent	No	Flushes toxins	Can be boring; doesn't replace lost minerals
Broth/Soup	Excellent	Yes (Sodium)	Provides nutrients, soothing	Can be high in sodium
Electrolyte Drink	Excellent	Yes	Replenishes vital minerals	Watch for high sugar content
Herbal Tea	Good	No	Soothes symptoms, calming	Caffeine-free is best
Diluted Fruit Juice	Good	Some	Vitamin C, energy	Avoid high sugar content, can worsen diarrhea

What to Avoid Drinking When You're Sick

Not all fluids are beneficial during a fever. Some can actually be counterproductive to your recovery.

Dehydrating and High-Sugar Beverages

Caffeinated Drinks: Coffee, black tea, and energy drinks are diuretics, meaning they cause your body to excrete more fluids. This can worsen dehydration and interfere with rest.
Sugary Drinks: Soda and high-sugar fruit juices can spike your blood sugar, potentially weakening your immune response and leading to more inflammation. Sugar can also aggravate diarrhea.
Alcohol: Alcohol dehydrates the body and interferes with the immune system's ability to fight infection. It should be completely avoided.
Milk Tea: Some research suggests that milk tea is not a suitable drink for fever care as it can cause acidity and digestive discomfort.

The Healing Power of Warm vs. Cold Fluids

While cold drinks or popsicles can be soothing for a sore throat, warm fluids offer distinct advantages when battling chills and fever. A study at Cardiff University found that hot drinks provided immediate and sustained relief from a range of cold and flu symptoms, including chills. The warmth can help soothe a scratchy throat, alleviate congestion, and provide a comforting sensation that can help you relax and rest.

Conclusion: Prioritize Hydration to Support Your Body's Recovery

When grappling with a fever and chills, your body is working hard to fight off an infection. Providing it with the right fluids is one of the most effective ways to support this effort and manage symptoms. While plain water is your most fundamental tool, incorporating a variety of other beneficial drinks like warm broths, electrolyte solutions, and herbal teas can provide additional nutrients and comfort. Just as important as what you drink is what you avoid: steer clear of high-sugar and caffeinated beverages to prevent dehydration and ensure a smoother recovery. Listen to your body and prioritize rest alongside proper hydration to get back to feeling your best. If symptoms persist or worsen, always consult a healthcare professional. For more in-depth information, the Cleveland Clinic offers additional insights on managing fever.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for any health concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best drink is plain water, but warm broths like chicken or beef broth are also excellent choices as they provide both hydration and electrolytes. Herbal teas, especially ginger or peppermint, can be very soothing.

While the best temperature can depend on your preference, warm drinks like herbal teas and broths are generally recommended when you have chills, as they provide a soothing effect and can help with congestion. However, cold fluids like popsicles can also be good if you have a sore throat.

Sports drinks can help replenish electrolytes lost during a fever, but they often contain a lot of sugar. For children or those with diarrhea, it's often better to dilute them with water or opt for oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte.

Orange juice can provide Vitamin C and hydration, but it's high in sugar. High sugar intake can sometimes worsen inflammation or diarrhea. It's best to consume in moderation or opt for diluted juice.

While milk can provide nutrients, some people find that it can cause digestive discomfort, bloating, and increase mucus production when they are sick. Listening to your body is key; if milk upsets your stomach, it's best to avoid it.

No, alcohol should be avoided entirely. It is a diuretic that contributes to dehydration and can interfere with the body's immune response, which is counterproductive to recovery.

Yes, you can make a simple homemade electrolyte solution. A common recipe involves mixing 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of sugar into 1 liter of clean water to aid rehydration.