What water should I drink if I have a fever?

December 15, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Mayo Clinic, a fever can cause fluid loss through increased sweating and breathing, making dehydration a serious risk. To combat this, choosing the right fluids is crucial for maintaining hydration and helping your body recover more quickly. Understanding the best options can provide significant comfort and support during an illness.

Quick Summary

When you have a fever, the best choice for hydration is simple water, though electrolyte-infused drinks, broths, and herbal teas can also be beneficial for replacing lost fluids and minerals. Avoid caffeinated and sugary beverages, as these can contribute to dehydration and inflammation, slowing recovery.

Key Points

Plain Water is Priority: The most important thing is to consistently drink plain water to replenish lost fluids, as fever increases your fluid loss through sweat.
Add Electrolytes for Support: If you're experiencing heavy sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea, use electrolyte drinks, broths, or coconut water to restore lost minerals like sodium and potassium.
Avoid Caffeinated & Sugary Drinks: Steer clear of coffee, black tea, and sodas, as caffeine can cause dehydration and high sugar content can worsen inflammation.
Consider Filtered Water: While tap water is generally safe, filtered water can offer peace of mind by removing potential contaminants like bacteria and chlorine during illness.
Experiment with Temperatures: Try different temperatures for your fluids; warm broths can be soothing, while cool water or ice chips can be refreshing if you're nauseous.
Know When to Seek Help: If you can't keep fluids down or your fever persists, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional to prevent severe dehydration.

The Importance of Hydration During a Fever

Staying hydrated is one of the most critical aspects of managing a fever. When your body's temperature rises, it loses fluids faster through increased sweating and breathing. This fluid loss can lead to dehydration, which can make you feel worse and even prolong your illness. Proper hydration helps your body regulate its temperature, transport nutrients, and support your immune system's function as it fights off the underlying infection.

The Best Fluids to Drink for a Fever

While there are many options available, some drinks are far more effective than others for helping your body during a fever. Simple, plain water is the gold standard for hydration, but other beverages can provide added benefits like electrolytes and nutrients.

Plain Water: The most essential and straightforward choice. Sip on room-temperature or slightly cooled water consistently throughout the day to replenish lost fluids without any added sugar or calories.
Electrolyte-Enhanced Drinks: For cases of heavy sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea, electrolyte solutions are highly recommended. These drinks contain a balance of minerals like sodium and potassium that are vital for maintaining fluid balance and preventing muscle cramps and fatigue. Examples include sports drinks (opt for low-sugar versions), coconut water, or oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte.
Broths and Soups: A warm bowl of chicken or vegetable broth is not only soothing for a sore throat but also provides essential fluids, sodium, and nutrients. The warmth can also help clear nasal congestion.
Herbal Teas: Certain herbal teas can be comforting and provide relief from symptoms. Ginger tea can help with nausea, while peppermint and chamomile can be soothing. Always choose caffeine-free options to avoid dehydration.
Popsicles or Ice Chips: If a full glass of water is difficult to tolerate, especially with nausea, sucking on ice chips or popsicles can help you stay hydrated in smaller, more manageable doses.

What to Avoid When You Have a Fever

Just as important as knowing what to drink is knowing what to avoid. Some beverages can worsen your symptoms and delay your recovery.

Caffeinated Beverages: Coffee, black tea, and energy drinks act as diuretics, which increase urine output and can lead to further dehydration.
Sugary Drinks: High-sugar drinks, like regular sodas and some fruit juices, can cause inflammation and potentially suppress your immune system. For young children, high sugar content can also worsen diarrhea.
Alcohol: Alcohol is a diuretic and should be completely avoided when you are sick, as it contributes significantly to dehydration and can interfere with your body's ability to heal.

Filtered Water vs. Tap Water

When considering your drinking water source, many wonder if filtered water is a better choice than tap water during an illness. For most people in areas with safe public water supplies, tap water is perfectly fine. However, filtered water can offer added peace of mind.

Filtered Water: Can remove potential contaminants like bacteria, chlorine, or lead that might be present in a water supply. During an illness, when your immune system is already compromised, opting for a high-quality filter ensures you are consuming the cleanest water possible.
Tap Water: In many countries, tap water is regulated and safe for consumption. If your local water quality is high, there is no inherent disadvantage to drinking tap water over filtered water during a fever.

Comparison of Common Fever-Friendly Beverages


Beverage	Primary Benefit	Electrolyte Content	Sugar Content	Best For...
Plain Water	Replenishing fluids	Low/None	None	General hydration and purity
Electrolyte Drink	Rebalancing minerals	High	Variable (Choose low-sugar)	Heavy sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea
Broth/Soup	Nutrients & hydration	High (especially sodium)	None	Soothing a sore throat and providing comfort
Herbal Tea	Symptom relief & warmth	Low/None	None	Relaxation and easing congestion
Coconut Water	Natural electrolytes	Moderate	Low-Moderate	A natural, less-processed electrolyte option

How to Encourage Fluid Intake

Getting enough fluids can be challenging, especially if you feel weak or nauseous. Here are some tips to make it easier:

Sip, Don't Gulp: Drink fluids slowly in small, frequent sips to avoid overwhelming your stomach and triggering nausea.
Vary the Temperature: Experiment with different temperatures. Some people prefer warm liquids like tea, while others find chilled drinks or ice chips more soothing.
Keep Fluids Accessible: Place a glass of water, a thermos of tea, or a supply of popsicles next to your bed or wherever you are resting so you can easily reach them.
Set Reminders: If you are forgetful when feeling unwell, set a timer or alarm on your phone to remind yourself to drink something every hour.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While staying hydrated at home is key, it's important to recognize when a fever requires a doctor's attention. Persistent high fever, or symptoms that worsen despite self-care, should prompt a consultation with a healthcare provider. An inability to keep fluids down due to vomiting is a clear sign that professional medical advice is needed to prevent severe dehydration.

Conclusion

Maintaining hydration is the cornerstone of managing a fever. While simple water remains the best choice for general fluid replacement, supplementing with electrolyte-rich drinks or soothing broths can provide additional benefits when you are feeling ill. Remember to steer clear of dehydrating beverages like coffee and sugary sodas. By making smart choices about your fluid intake and listening to your body's signals, you can support your recovery and feel better faster. Staying vigilant and consulting a healthcare professional for persistent or severe symptoms is always the safest course of action.

Important Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition, especially if you have an underlying health condition or are providing care for an infant or young child. Do not give honey to infants under one year of age.

Frequently Asked Questions

When you have a fever, your body temperature increases, which causes you to lose fluids more quickly through sweating and breathing. Staying hydrated helps to prevent dehydration, regulates your body temperature, and supports your immune system as it fights the infection.

Sports drinks can be beneficial, especially if you are losing fluids rapidly from heavy sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea, as they contain electrolytes. However, it's best to choose a low-sugar or sugar-free version, as high sugar content can be counterproductive.

Yes, hot herbal teas (without caffeine) can be very soothing for a fever, especially if you have a sore throat or congestion. Teas like ginger, chamomile, or peppermint are good options.

For most people, tap water is safe to drink. However, filtered water can be a good option if you are concerned about contaminants, as some filters remove bacteria and other substances. The most important thing is to ensure you are consistently drinking fluids, regardless of the source, as long as it's safe.

Not drinking enough water with a fever can lead to dehydration. Symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, and headaches. Dehydration can also cause your body temperature to rise further, worsening the fever and slowing your recovery.

While juices can provide some fluid, many contain high amounts of sugar which can cause inflammation. It is often better to stick to water, broth, or low-sugar electrolyte drinks. If you do have juice, consider diluting it with water.

You should avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee and black tea, as well as alcohol, as these are all diuretics that can increase dehydration. High-sugar sodas should also be avoided.