The Role of Fever in Healing and Repair
Fever is a systematic response to infection. It is generally agreed that moderate elevation of body temperature improves the body’s disease fighting ability. A fever caused by infection actually helps the body destroy its microbial invaders.
-HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY, Marieb, E. Human Anatomy and Physiology, p.179
One of the reasons that you feel bad when you have the flu is that higher levels of interferon cause you to have certain symptoms, including fever and chills. This is evidence that your body is working hard to get rid of the virus.
-CELLULAR & MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES, Mahony, R., Gargan, S., Roberts, K. A novel anti-viral role for STAT3 in IFN-α signaling responses. 2016
Supporting Resources
Fever is the body’s normal response to infection, it’s a natural defense mechanism. A high temperature triggers the body’s production of infection fighting white blood cells and inhibits the growth of viruses and bacteria. If you lower the fever, you may be affecting the body’s ability to respond to that infection.”
PEDIATRICS, Sullivan, J. Fever and Antipyretic Use in Children. Pediatrics, Mar. 2011, Vol. 127 #3
Scientists have found more evidence that elevated body temperature helps certain types of immune cells to work better and that the immune system might be temporarily enhanced functionally when our temperatures rise with fever.
-JOURNAL OF LEUKOCYTE BIOLOGY, Mace, A., Zhong, L., Kilpatrick, C. Differentiation of CD8+ T cells into effector cells is enhanced by physiological range hyperthermia. Nov. 2011; 90:951-962
A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that children who ran a fever during their first year were less likely to develop allergies later in childhood than children who did not experience fevers.
-Williams, L. Keoki, The relationship between early fever and allergic sensitization at age 6 to 7 years. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 113(2):291-296 (2004)
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Fever is a natural part of the healing process. Contact us today to learn more about how Chiropractic care supports your body’s ability to repair and restore balance.