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Fever is a physiological response, or symptom, of something else happening in the body. Common causes of fever include an infection (a cold, flu, bacterial infection, etc.), a disease, cancer, and many other causes.

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An portion of the brain, called the hypothalmus, regulates the body's temperature. It is similar to a thermostat in a building. Fever occurs when some condition in the body (above) casues the hypothalmus to raise the body's set temperature.

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When the hypothalmus increases the body's set temperature, the body increases its temperature by constricting blood vessels (reduces heat loss through the skin) and by increasing the liver's metabolism, thus increasing the internal heat generated. An excited hypothalmus also leads to shivering - the involuntary shaking of large muscles, which also generates heat.

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A mild fever (100 to 102F, or 37 to 38C) actually helps the body's immune system defend against infection, and therefore a mild fever is a productive response to fighting an infection. When a fever reaches 104F (40C), the fever itself begins to interfere with the body's ability to function efficiently, and a fever of over 106F (41C) is life threatening.

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15y ago

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