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Why do diseases involving widespread infection usually result in a fever?
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
While not an absolute, an infection (which, in medical terms, is something caused by bacteria, NOT a virus or parasite), will usually cause a fever. It's one of the primary diagnostics tools when initially evaluating a patient: fever = some sort of infection, while no fever = something else.
The reason behind this is that one of the body's immune responses to invading bacteria is to raise the overall body temperature, in the hopes that it can make the body a much less pleasant place for the attacking bacteria. Generally speaking, this is effective, as most bacteria have a small range of tolerable temperatures they can successfully reproduce in, and its possible to "cook" out the invaders. Of course, the danger is that the human body can only operate at elevated temperatures for a limited time (brain tissue and other nerves are particularly sensitive to high body temperatures). This is why core body temperatures of over 104 F (40 C) are a medical emergency - that's about the point where the fever itself becomes life-threatening.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoThe brain's temperature control center responds to inflammation by creating a hot environment unfavorable to microorganisms (discourage bacterial growth). Cells may also release pyrogens "fire makers" which are chemicals that can travel through the bloodstream to the hypothalamus (the control center in the brain) where the fever is stimiulated. Source: Essential Biology with Physiology Chapter 24
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What are the sources of infection?
In general, if germs get to be where they aren't usually that forms (most usually) an infection. Germs are in your gut. You get an intestinal ulcer. The germs enter the blood steam -- infection!
