Why do we try to cool down our body when we have a fever even though we know that our body did it to better fight off infection?
In: Biology
Because we want to be comfortable. But as far as healthcare, some argue for allowing the fever as long as it doesn’t get to dangerous heights. Some experiments show worse outcomes in those where aggressive lowering of the fever takes place. But we also know a fever that’s too high will begin to have negative outcomes too.
I have never heard of or seen a person actively try to lower their body temperature the way you describe. Most people just try to make it more bearable by using wet cloth on the forehead most commonly which doesn’t change your temperature significantly at all. Aside from that you are generally fed or eat hot food like soup and tea so I don’t really see where you are coming from.
A fever is our body’s nuclear option to fight off infections. Yes it can kill off pathogens. But our organs and systems can’t survive for long at higher than normal temperatures. Granted, we measure fevers in gradients and our bodies can withstand low-to-mid grade fevers relatively well for short periods of time (a few days). But once you get into high-grade territory, that fever is going to do more damage to you as it’s trying to kill off the infection and put your life and long-term health at risk through organ damage.
Plus, if you’re running a fever for a long time (more than a few days), that’s also evidence that your body is not killing off the infection and needs a different intervention. At that point, there’s no reason to continue letting the body run the fever and risk excess damage if you’re able to treat the underlying infection with another intervention.
The heating up of the body is not done to fight off infections.
It is a marker that tells you that your body is under attack so that you can take preventive measures.
You cool down your body to prevent damage done by the heat.
Because if your body temperature reaches too high I believe it’s 41.5°C or above it can permanently damage your brain.
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