BMJ  2004;328 (28 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7438.0-b

Drinking plenty of fluids may be harmful

Drinking extra fluids in the presence of acute respiratory infection may cause fluid overload and hyponatraemia, and may be harmful to patients. In a systematic review, Guppy and colleagues (p 499) report that no randomised trial compared increased or restricted fluid intake in patients with respiratory infection. Results of prevalence studies, and case series, suggest that increased fluid intake may cause harm. We should be cautious when adopting such a strategy until more evidence is available, the authors say.

Credit: CHARLES GULLUNG/PHOTONICA

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