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<p>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.</p><p>Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.</p>
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.
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.
Before we dive into the mechanics of how fevers work, it is worth noting the importance of internal temperature regulation.
Indeed, maintaining a regular body temperature is very important if we want the body's systems to continue working properly.
That system involves various organs, including the brain, skin, muscles, and blood vessels.
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.
The reason for the elevated temperature is that the body is taking various necessary actions to fight the infection.
Firstly, the internal temperature of the body rises, because it is busy making chemicals called 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.
The body's core temperature also rises because it is busy producing cells called 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.
The higher body temperature is also the result of it making natural antibodies, which are necessary when it comes to fighting infection.
In fact, antibodies are particularly important because the body can recycle them: antibodies will recognize the same infection next time it tries to invade.
Last but not least, an increased body temperature is a result of the process whereby invading bacteria are broken down.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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)
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HEALTH Human body
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.
Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.