usefulness of fever // was: Re: Raised body temperature - Why?

[Guest guest]

> My question is- if not fever, when is that elevated temperature a

> cause of concern? And why would it it happen? Can we give ibuprofen?

>

> Thanks a lot.

>

> Bikram

>

Hi Bikram, I don't know the answers to what you asked, but thought

you might want to also know that fever is useful. For example, in

the case of infection, fever allows the immune system to work better.

White blood cells move faster (and faster) as the body temperature

gets higher. For this reason, many people (including me) believe

it is counter-productive to try to reduce fever.

In fact, I personally INDUCE " false fever " in myself when I'm sick,

to help myself get better!

There's a limit to this, of course -- at very high heat there can

be serious damage -- so fever is only positive (helpful) up to a

point.

And I really don't know that this would apply to fevers if there

is not infection. The benefit I'm aware of is immune activation.

good wishes,

Moria