Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
Twenty five years ago, Matthew Kluger showed that
cold-blooded animals such as lizards are more likely to die when
they are infected if they cannot move to a warm area to raise their
body temperatures. More recent studies show that fish in
interconnected tanks with different water temperatures, prefer
lower water temperature when healthy, and choose a higher
temperature when infected. A rise in body temperature after
experimental bacterial infection helped to prevent death (Science,
Volume 188, 2003).
Fever slows the growth of the bacteria and viruses in
your body. Bacteria and viruses release pyrogens that enter
your body and are attacked by immune cells called macrophages,
which release chemicals called interleukins that raise blood levels
of prostaglandins that cause fever. Aspirin inhibits prostaglandins
to lower fever, and helps you feel better because it blocks pain and
reduces swelling. But taking aspirin or other medications to lower
a fever does not cure the disease that caused it.
May 1, 2006