Understanding Fever: How Infections Impact Body Temperature

Fever (also known as pyrexia):

- Infections cause the release of chemicals that trigger the body to raise its temperature.

- Purpose of fever is to make it more difficult for the invading microorganism to grow.

- Can often feel cold and shivery at the beginning of a fever as your body ramps up its temperature.

- Eventually reach a plateau where your temperature remains elevated until the offending microorganism is under control.

- In some cases, body temperature may go above 41°C (105.8°F), which can be dangerous.

- Some conditions can cause low white blood cell counts that lead to low or non-existent fevers.

- Certain immunosuppressed individuals may not develop a fever as a response to infection.

Lower body temperature (also called hypothermia):

- Can be a life-threatening medical emergency.

- Occurs when the body loses heat faster than it produces heat, leading to a drop in body temperature below 35°C (95°F).

- Certain bacterial and viral infections can lead to a significant drop in body temperature by suppressing the body's own heat production or inhibiting the body's ability to respond to cold environments.

- Infants, elderly individuals, and people with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia.