What is the purpose of a fever?

Answer 1

The presence of a fever is usually related to stimulation of the body's immune response. Fever can support the immune system's attempt to gain advantage over infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria, and it makes the body less favorable as a host for replicating viruses and bacteria, which are temperature sensitive. Children typically get higher and quicker fevers, reflecting the effects of pyrogens (heat generating proteins) by an inexperienced immune system.

Answer 2

Fever causes our body temperature to rise creating an environment where some pathogens cannot survive. Not only does it slow the germs in your body, it accelerates the process of making white blood cells, which combat the foreign germ or pathogen in your body. (Billy Jean is not my lover!!)

Answer 3

Quite often a fever is a signal that something abnormal is going on within the body, but its not ALL bad. It is also a signal that the body attack functions and working to fight off something within the body, to bring it back to health.

Answer 4

Regulating body temperature is very important. If your temperature drops too low it could cause organ damage. If your temperature is too high it could cause dehydration, seizures and even hearing loss.. A side note: I personally know 2 people that have suffered complete hearing loss due to a high fever as a child.

Answer 5

A fever is an abnormally high body temperature, usually accompanied by shivering, aching, headache, and in severe cases, delirium. Most doctors consider anything over 100 degrees Fahrenheit to be a fever.

Answer 6

Your body heats up to try to kill off unwanted bacteria and viruses.

Answer 7

A fever is increased body temperature.