If the purpose of a fever is to help the body fight an infection why is paracetamol prescribed to bring it down?
In: Biology
Let me preface this by saying that I’m not a doctor etc.
It is prescribed because fever causes discomfort and people want to feel better, and they want to feel like their doctor is doing something, and doctors want their patients to feel better.
With colds and flu, usually the only harm from taking fever reducing drugs is that you might take a little while longer to recover, so on balance most doctors think those drugs are worthwhile.
But fever, although unpleasant, is rarely dangerous – and it helps the immune system work better.
COVID-19 is more dangerous than a cold or a flu, so I think people who have it or think they have it, should not take fever reducing drugs. I would want my immune system working at 100%.
P. S. In the USA, paracetamol is called acetaminophen or Tylenol. Another different and also popular fever reducing drug in the USA is Advil, also known as ibuprofen. Aspirin is another one.
Latest Answers