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Healthy body temperature - The body temperature of a healthy person tends to hover around 37°C (98.6°F). When the body is fighting an infection, however, its temperature goes up, causing a fever.
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Slight vs. high fever
- In general, doctors classify a body temperature between 37°C (98.6°F) and 38°C (100.4°F) as a slight fever. Anything above that counts as a high fever.
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2 / 31 Fotos
Flu virus
- When someone is infected with a flu virus, for example, they may experience a slight fever that leaves them feeling uncomfortable and under the weather.
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3 / 31 Fotos
Seeking treatment - In many cases, people experiencing a mild fever will seek natural or over-the-counter remedies to relieve their symptoms.
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4 / 31 Fotos
Not a bad thing - Presenting with a fever is not always a bad thing, however. In fact, mild fevers are a good sign that the immune system is doing its job and fighting the infection.
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5 / 31 Fotos
Temperature regulation
- Before we dive into the mechanics of how fevers work, it is worth noting the importance of internal temperature regulation.
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6 / 31 Fotos
Keeping things running
- Indeed, maintaining a regular body temperature is very important if we want the body's systems to continue working properly.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
Complex system - The body has a complex system in place to ensure that its temperature is maintained.
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8 / 31 Fotos
Multi-organ
- That system involves various organs, including the brain, skin, muscles, and blood vessels.
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9 / 31 Fotos
Example response - When there is an external change in temperature, for example, the skin responds by increasing or decreasing sweat production.
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10 / 31 Fotos
In the case of fever
- In the event of a fever, the body works in the same way to regulate temperature, but it temporarily sets the 'thermostat' to a higher temperature.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
Immune system at work
- The reason for the elevated temperature is that the body is taking various necessary actions to fight the infection.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
Cytokines and mediators
- Firstly, the internal temperature of the body rises, because it is busy making chemicals called cytokines and mediators.
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
Cytokines and mediators
- Cytokines and mediators are an important part of the body's response to an invasion by a microorganism, malignancy, or other intruder.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
Macrophages
- The body's core temperature also rises because it is busy producing cells called macrophages.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
Macrophages
- Macrophages are the cells that put up a fight whenever there is an intruder present in the body. They work by actually 'eating up' the invading organism.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
Natural antibodies
- The higher body temperature is also the result of it making natural antibodies, which are necessary when it comes to fighting infection.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
Natural antibodies
- In fact, antibodies are particularly important because the body can recycle them: antibodies will recognize the same infection next time it tries to invade.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
Breaking down bacteria
- Last but not least, an increased body temperature is a result of the process whereby invading bacteria are broken down.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
Breaking down bacteria
- Many bacteria are enclosed in a membrane that, when disrupted or broken by the immune system, will release contents that are toxic to the body.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
Protective brain response - Raising the body's temperature is an important part of the brain's protective response to this process.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Fever is not illness
- It is important to recognize, therefore, that having a fever is not an illness in itself. Rather, it is a sign that your body is fighting an infection.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Not a bad thing
- And it's not a bad thing, either: having a fever stimulates the body's defenses and helps fight and destroy the underlying cause of the infection.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Common problem
- Fevers are common, and most people have experienced at least one at some point. Indeed, there are many different conditions that can cause a fever.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Causes
- These include, but are not limited to: infectious diseases, certain medications or vaccinations, heat stroke, some kinds of cancer, and some kinds of autoimmune diseases.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Seeking treatment - Although fevers are not usually serious, they can be uncomfortable, and there is no harm in seeking treatment to help relieve the discomfort.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
Important - However, it is important to note that treating a fever will not help the body get rid of the infection any faster.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Children and fevers
- In the case of children, treating a fever will also not reduce the risk of febrile seizure (the child having a seizure from the fever).
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Febrile seizures
- Febrile seizures are possible in children aged between six months and five years, and if a child does have one it is possible they may have one again.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Distinct from epilepsy
- This doesn't mean the child has epilepsy, however. Epilepsy is a distinct seizure disorder that is not triggered by a fever. Sources: (University of Rochester Medical Center) (Medical News Today)
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 31 Fotos
Healthy body temperature - The body temperature of a healthy person tends to hover around 37°C (98.6°F). When the body is fighting an infection, however, its temperature goes up, causing a fever.
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
Slight vs. high fever
- In general, doctors classify a body temperature between 37°C (98.6°F) and 38°C (100.4°F) as a slight fever. Anything above that counts as a high fever.
© Getty Images
2 / 31 Fotos
Flu virus
- When someone is infected with a flu virus, for example, they may experience a slight fever that leaves them feeling uncomfortable and under the weather.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
Seeking treatment - In many cases, people experiencing a mild fever will seek natural or over-the-counter remedies to relieve their symptoms.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
Not a bad thing - Presenting with a fever is not always a bad thing, however. In fact, mild fevers are a good sign that the immune system is doing its job and fighting the infection.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
Temperature regulation
- Before we dive into the mechanics of how fevers work, it is worth noting the importance of internal temperature regulation.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
Keeping things running
- Indeed, maintaining a regular body temperature is very important if we want the body's systems to continue working properly.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
Complex system - The body has a complex system in place to ensure that its temperature is maintained.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
Multi-organ
- That system involves various organs, including the brain, skin, muscles, and blood vessels.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
Example response - When there is an external change in temperature, for example, the skin responds by increasing or decreasing sweat production.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
In the case of fever
- In the event of a fever, the body works in the same way to regulate temperature, but it temporarily sets the 'thermostat' to a higher temperature.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
Immune system at work
- The reason for the elevated temperature is that the body is taking various necessary actions to fight the infection.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
Cytokines and mediators
- Firstly, the internal temperature of the body rises, because it is busy making chemicals called cytokines and mediators.
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
Cytokines and mediators
- Cytokines and mediators are an important part of the body's response to an invasion by a microorganism, malignancy, or other intruder.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
Macrophages
- The body's core temperature also rises because it is busy producing cells called macrophages.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
Macrophages
- Macrophages are the cells that put up a fight whenever there is an intruder present in the body. They work by actually 'eating up' the invading organism.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
Natural antibodies
- The higher body temperature is also the result of it making natural antibodies, which are necessary when it comes to fighting infection.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
Natural antibodies
- In fact, antibodies are particularly important because the body can recycle them: antibodies will recognize the same infection next time it tries to invade.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
Breaking down bacteria
- Last but not least, an increased body temperature is a result of the process whereby invading bacteria are broken down.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
Breaking down bacteria
- Many bacteria are enclosed in a membrane that, when disrupted or broken by the immune system, will release contents that are toxic to the body.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
Protective brain response - Raising the body's temperature is an important part of the brain's protective response to this process.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Fever is not illness
- It is important to recognize, therefore, that having a fever is not an illness in itself. Rather, it is a sign that your body is fighting an infection.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Not a bad thing
- And it's not a bad thing, either: having a fever stimulates the body's defenses and helps fight and destroy the underlying cause of the infection.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Common problem
- Fevers are common, and most people have experienced at least one at some point. Indeed, there are many different conditions that can cause a fever.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Causes
- These include, but are not limited to: infectious diseases, certain medications or vaccinations, heat stroke, some kinds of cancer, and some kinds of autoimmune diseases.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Seeking treatment - Although fevers are not usually serious, they can be uncomfortable, and there is no harm in seeking treatment to help relieve the discomfort.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
Important - However, it is important to note that treating a fever will not help the body get rid of the infection any faster.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Children and fevers
- In the case of children, treating a fever will also not reduce the risk of febrile seizure (the child having a seizure from the fever).
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Febrile seizures
- Febrile seizures are possible in children aged between six months and five years, and if a child does have one it is possible they may have one again.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Distinct from epilepsy
- This doesn't mean the child has epilepsy, however. Epilepsy is a distinct seizure disorder that is not triggered by a fever. Sources: (University of Rochester Medical Center) (Medical News Today)
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
How fever helps fight disease
Why a high temperature is a good thing
© Shutterstock
When the body is fighting off an infection, people can present with a whole array of symptoms. A common one is fever, which is when the body's temperature rises about normal levels. People often complain about fevers because they can be uncomfortable. However, it is important to recognize that fevers themselves are not actually illnesses. In fact, they are a good sign that the body's immune system is doing its job and fighting disease.
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