Many people like sleeping in a cool room, but don't make it so cold that you wake up shivering in the middle of the night. When you're feeling sick, you might want to consider raising the temperature a little, rather than letting the thermostat drop. Just don't forget to change it back when you're feeling better.
A cool bedroom temperature (around 60-68F) will help reduce sweating and waking up at night, which is particularly important if you're experiencing a fever.
Don't be tempted to overheat the room because you have a cold. Keep the temperature at a comfortable level (69F – 72F) and bundle up with blankets that can be shoved off if you begin to overheat. The humidity in the room is important too. Dry air can worsen your cold symptoms and parch your nose and throat.
Those who are sick with a cold, flu, or heartburn could benefit from sleeping at an incline. Also, depending on what symptoms someone has, a humidifier can help open nasal passages and keep the throat from drying out. Lastly, keeping the bedroom dark, cool, and quiet can prime the body for sleep.
“You can't get sick from being cold in general, whether you are outside or inside,” Fecher says.
The short answer is no although the temperature of a room can affect the comfort of someone who does have a fever.
Since most viruses are more active at lower temperatures, raising the body's internal temperature is one mechanism your body uses to fight infection.
Rest, Rotate
When you're feeling your worst, staying in bed will likely be a no-brainer. As you work toward recovery, however, it's important that you avoid lying on your back, especially if you are experiencing shortness of breath.
Body temperature rises at night
For most people, body temperature naturally increases by 1.5°F at night. Combine that with your body's revved up immune system in the evening, and your low-grade fever is more likely to become a full-blown fever at night. This means more achiness and more of that all-around sick feeling.
“Cool air from an open window can help people breathe better, unless the air is very dry,” Dr. Benninger says. Fans also can dry the air, but the soothing white noise may lead to better sleep.
How cold is too cold? Below 13° - If your home is this cold, it may increase your blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease. 14-15° - If your home is this cold, you may be diminishing your resistance to respiratory diseases. 18° - This is the recommended night time bedroom temperature.
Sleeping on an incline can help you breathe easier and help clear mucus, which drip down the back of your throat and cause irritation. Rather than propping yourself up by using pillows, raise the head of your bed.
Bundling up too much can make it harder to reduce a fever. If you have chills, try wearing a single, light layer and using one lightweight blanket. If your temperature's over 103ºF, let your doctor know. You may have the flu or another infection, so get checked out to be sure.
A cold sleeping environment helps lower your body temperature, making it easier to experience deep sleep. This is why you usually feel well-rested after sleeping in a cold room. Plus, lower temperatures help with melatonin production and better sleep quality.
Science and health researchers and experts agree that cold temperatures don't kill all germs. Dermatologist Alok Vij shares in a Cleveland Clinic article that you need to reach a temperature of 80 degrees below freezing or even colder to actually kill bacteria and other germs.
The best remedy is to rest at home, keep warm and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower a high temperature and relieve aches if necessary.
Keep warm. Use a humidifier or take a hot shower for sore throat and cough. Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce fever and relieve aches and pains.
Sometimes, soothing a sore throat can be as simple as gargling with warm/salty water or using VapoRub. Both are good for a sore throat because they stimulate production of saliva and mucus, both of which are important for maintaining lubrication.
Excess mucus in the throat can lead to itching, irritation, and soreness. Postnasal drip typically increases when a person is lying down. As a result, a sore throat may worsen at night or first thing in the morning. Exposure to certain allergens at night may also worsen postnasal drip and sore throat.
Vicks family of cold and flu products offers soothing sore throat relief with ingredients that alleviate pain, break up congestion, and quell the coughing that often accompanies sore throat.
To ensure your body can achieve the temperature it needs for restful sleep, ensure your room temperature for sleeping is between 16 °C to 18 °C for a bedroom. For those over 65, you'll want to stick to 18°C and not let it drop below.
What do the independent experts say? The Energy Saving Trust recommends heating your home to between 18 to 21 degrees celsius during winter. And The World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests 18 degrees is the ideal temperature for healthy and well-dressed people.