ELi5 Why are fevers so dangerous? If they’re an immune system mechanism, shouldn’t there also be a biological “emergency stop/ brain overheating” button?

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ELi5 Why are fevers so dangerous? If they’re an immune system mechanism, shouldn’t there also be a biological “emergency stop/ brain overheating” button?

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15 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

It all boils down to evolution is based on “eh, it works, mostly”.

If the trait works more often than not, and can be passed down to offspring, then the environment “selects” that version.

Fevers are a trait for fighting infection that works… mostly. When it doesn’t work, the individual usually dies. So, there is no reason for a “stop…too much” trait to develop. It works and you live to make babies or you die and don’t.

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