Weight gain with a virus

drspoon2013

So I weigh 59.5 kg normally, however I've had a virus this week and I'm now at 61.4kg. I'm so upset it myself as I try hard to maintain my weight and I've not been eating any more, if anything I've been eating less. How can a virus make you gain weight?!

Alatariel75

You may be retaining water.

Sheisinlove109

Maybe not as active from being sick and eating a little more? Water retention can easily do that to me in no time

Tacklewasher

Worry more about getting better. The weight loss can wait for a little while. Once better, I bet a lot drops off quick.

cmriverside

There is a lot of inflammation with many viruses, or any immune response. I'm with Tacklewasher, focus on eating well and recovery.

Drink lots of fluids. I hope you feel better soon.

crazyycatladyy1

I have shingles right now and I'm up 4lbs. I also haven't been eating a lot, (pain and prescriptions are causing a lot of nausea), and know the temporary gain is from inflammation. After it passes the extra weight will drop plus I'll probably lose a bit more, due to not eating a lot of calories for the past few days, (I've had it since last Wednesday and I'm still in the middle of it).

Don't worry about the jump on the scale-it's temporary.

laur357

Likely: Your immune system is fighting the virus which causes some inflammation. Inflammation includes water retention and may cause your weight to go up. Give it a few days after you're fully recover, and it should return to normal.

armchairherpetologist

You are probably retaining water due to your illness. Two kg is not even outside the bounds of a normal maintenance range.

mandy2469

If you are taking any type of medication this makes you retain water. Paracetamol, ibuprofen and antibiotics make me retain water.