What is fever?
Fever is the first weapon in the arsenal used when foreign substances invade a body. Chemicals released by the foreign substances stimulate the hypothalamus to increase the body temperature. The hypothalamus is the “thermostat” of the body. The hypothalamus can raise or lower body temperature through chemical signals to other systems to make the changes necessary. A fever is the response to foreign substances, bacteria or viruses in the body. Fever has benefits. The higher body temperature does not allow certain chemicals and nutrients to be available for the bacterial or virus to exist and/or reproduce. The higher body temperature works with the immune system to fight off infection. Fever is a symptom that should be reported to a health care provider. Each person should find out his or her specific healthcare provider’s guidelines for reporting a fever.
