What should you know about chills and loss of appetite?

Influenza and COVID-19 can reduce appetite while the immune system responds to illness. Gastroenteritis may combine poor appetite with nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and cramps. Gastritis or a peptic ulcer can make eating uncomfortable. Hepatitis A may cause appetite loss with nausea, tiredness, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin. Depression can reduce interest in food without a clear digestive symptom. Persistent unexplained appetite loss needs assessment because several conditions can look alike at first.

Track fluids, urine, temperature, bowel symptoms, pain, weight change, recent travel, food exposures, medicines, and mood. A clinician can use this history to decide whether examination or testing is appropriate.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. Try small portions of bland, nourishing foods rather than forcing a full meal. Rest and avoid alcohol. Do not stop prescribed medicines or take anti-inflammatory painkillers on an empty stomach without advice. If vomiting or diarrhoea is present, wash hands carefully and avoid preparing food for others while unwell.

Arrange a medical appointment if appetite remains low, you are losing weight, pain continues, or symptoms follow travel. A pharmacist can advise on hydration products and medicine safety.

Seek urgent help for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, difficulty breathing, severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit or stool, repeated vomiting, or very little urine. Yellow skin or eyes, worsening drowsiness, or inability to keep fluids down also needs prompt assessment. If appetite loss persists or you have a serious medical condition, arrange review rather than relying on home care alone.

Ask: Could infection, stomach irritation, liver symptoms, mood, or a medicine be affecting my appetite? Am I dehydrated? Do I need blood or stool tests? What food and fluids should I use while recovering?