A Little Touch of Fever May be Good for You
When bacteria or viruses invade the bloodstream, white blood cells rally to the defense. They release a substance called endogenous pyrogen into the bloodstream; it immediately adjusts the thermostat in the hypothalamus so that the body temperature rises. The higher temperature in turn stimulates the production of move white blood cells, which try to identify and destroy the cause of the illness.
A Little Touch of Fever May Be Good for You
By Mr Ghaz, November 14, 2009
A Little Touch of Fever May Be Good for You
For more than 2,000 years physicians believed that a fever was nature’s way of burning out the poisons that made people ill. But in the 20th century doctors have taken a different view, using drugs such as aspirin to reduce the temperature of feverish patients. Today, however research suggests that the ancient doctors were right after all: fever is an important part of the body’s process of healing itself.
The research was begun in 1975 by Matthew J. Kluger decided to use reptiles, in which body heat is determined by the surrounding temperature, rather than humans, whose body heat remains constant. For his experiments Kluger chose the desert iguana, a small American iguana.
Fevered Lizard: The desert iguana may seem an unlikely animal to use to study fever in humans. But because it is a reptile, its body heat is determined by the environment and is easily controllable in experiments.
Fever Pitch
Kluger infected some of the iguanas with bacteria and kept them in incubators at controlled temperatures. Those that were kept at about 104°F raised their own body temperature to the same recovered from the infections induced by the bacteria. Those kept at 93.2°F were unable to develop a fever and later died from their infections.
Since Kluger reported the results of his experiments, physicians and other scientists have been applying his findings to humans. They have focused their research on the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that keeps the body’s normal temperature hovering around 98.6°F.
When bacteria or viruses invade the bloodstream, white blood cells rally to the defense. They release a substance called endogenous pyrogen into the bloodstream; it immediately adjusts the thermostat in the hypothalamus so that the body temperature rises. The higher temperature in turn stimulates the production of move white blood cells, which try to identify and destroy the cause of the illness.
However, not all fever temperatures are beneficial. Prolonged temperatures around 102°F can put excessive strain on patients with heart or breathing problems, while temperatures higher than 107°F, if not reduced quickly, are generally fatal. So although a little touch of fever may be good for you, too much can be harmful.
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diamondpoet | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
Hey my talent friend we have a winner again.
Themax | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
very nice info,Thanks for sharing
K.Reshma | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for sharing
ken bultman | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
Good one. My temp stays just under a degree above what is considered normal. Keeps the old white cells on their toes.
wanjiku | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
Interesting article. I imagine that the production of white cells during an infection is what makes my body feel weak.
Pinaki Ghosh | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
No doubt, interesting.
sandie | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
good topics as always
Darla Smith | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
My temperature normally stays between 96 and 97.
Teves | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
Nice piece…
Phill Senters | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
Another good one as usual Mr G.
susan | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
Excellent article. One thing though, fever means that the disease is present and contagious. Someone with a fever should stay home so as not to get others sick.
Sherry Wallace | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
Very interesting, mrghaz.
Mystify | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
Excellent article as always Mr Ghaz with some very beneficial and interesting information!
CHAN LEE PENG | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
Excellent info. My temperature also stays normal. Thanks.
Alexander Jay Sheridan | Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for informing us about this. It’s good to know.
shanthu | Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
what a wonderful post…wow!!! thanks
wonder | Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
A true one—one should know.
lillyrose | Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
Really interesting article and very well presented!
Christine Ramsay | Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for the information. A very well presented and well rearched piece.
Christine
macon | Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
well, this is a very good article. information well worth reading. thanks for sharing!
Idazalee | Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
Another great and useful article..wonderful health advices..Thanks Mr Ghaz
Mansor | Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
very informative and well-researched article Mr Ghaz..Thanks a lot!
hollynoel001 | Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
very interesting!!!
Faith Hodge | Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
This is an interesting article. Well presented and enjoyable to read.Thank you.
STEVE666 | Nov 16, 2009 | Reply
Interesting stuff, Mr Ghaz.
Razie | Nov 19, 2009 | Reply
a great article and very useful tips..Thanks Mr Ghaz
NSMasry | Nov 19, 2009 | Reply
very interesting and good article. liked it. Thanks for sharing
CutestPrincess | Dec 6, 2009 | Reply
You give some very wise advice in your articles. Good work.
revivor | Dec 6, 2009 | Reply
I’ve always had this sense that drugs, pills are a waste of time and the body needs pain/illness to recover and protect itself. I know that is not really true but it’s just a sense I have!!
MMV Abad | Dec 20, 2009 | Reply
Some great advices here. Thanks.