Why do you have a fever when you are sick?

Question

Of course, I realize that a fever is a sign of an infection. But my question is this: Is the fever itself a defense, or is it just a side-effect of another defense? If the former, then that would seem to imply that most bacteria/virrii live and multiply in a very narrow range of temperatures. That, in fact, changing their envronment by 1 or 2 degrees has a significant effect upon their health. If this is the case, reducing your fever would be counterproductive, unless the temperature itself reaches dangerous levels.

Answer 1

Fever is how the body "mobilizes" the white blood cell army. White blood cells are there to fight infection or what they consider invaders. A fever gets them up and running.
Running the fever is a good thing, its just important to not let the fever get too high. Around 101 is safe and will mobilize the "white blood cell army".

Answer 2

There is much discussion in the medical world on the value of running a fever. You are correct in that a fever may actually create an inhospitable host for a virus or infection and they these organisms grow best within a narrow band. For example the viruses that cause cold thrive at lower body temperatures and a fever may help eliminate the virus.

Some are suggesting that by aggressively treating a fever, you may actually cause interference with your body's immune response system.

While a low-grade fever doesn't really need treatment, higher temperatures do need to be treated because of the potential damage that can be done to you physically.

Pat O'Connor
Lymphedema People
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com

Answer 3

A fever is your body's defence against infection.

Answer 4

its self defence
many bact die in high temp
in many conditions
its caused by the toxins of bacteria