Why do we feel better on the first or last day of mild illness?

Question

I think it’s a common experience to feel more alive when one starts to have a mild illness (cold, sore throat, inflammation on small area) or gets rid of it. It makes one feel rejuvenated, ready for action, clears the mind and primes the senses for higher perception. What happens in the body and brain that causes this effect?

In: Biology

Answer 1

The “foreign invaders” in your body will be at their lowest levels early on in the infection, and then at the tail end.

Here’s an example:

Day 1 and 2:. Virus enters body, hasn’t reproduced much yet.

Days 3 to 6: Virus rapidly reproducing and is peaking at high levels in your body

Days 7 and 8: Your immune system has had time to mount a response and the viral levels are lessening in your body. You start to feel better and better.