Why do we get fevers? And if they are defending mechanism of our bodies, how can it be lethal?

Question

Why do we get fevers? And if they are defending mechanism of our bodies, how can it be lethal?

In: 4

Answer 1

Heat kills the infection, but prolonged heat or too high of a fever can effect the body cells which then effect major organs

Ideally you want the the fever to kill the infection as quickly as possible and then drop right back down to normal. Its why when being monitored by health professionals they sometimes take actions to reduce the fever but not remove it completely. They need the fever to do its job without going too far or for too long that it effects the patient.