There certainly are potential downsides. As a 2021 review of fever in the Covid-19 pandemic era put it: “blocking fever can be harmful because fever, along with other sickness symptoms, evolved as a defence against infection”.
Using medication to quell the impacts of fever can also have adverse effects at a population level. A 2014 study, for example, found that suppressing fevers caused by the flu can lead to higher transmission rates. That’s because if infected people simply treat their feverish symptoms, they soon resume their everyday activities, from work to socialising, spreading the disease further than if they felt the need to rest.
In the case of mild fevers, it’s therefore better in some circumstances to let them do their job, says Perretti. Theoretically, he says, one could give the body 24 to 48 hours to perform the necessary inflammatory response. However, he warns, this could still be dangerous in some situations, so you should always consult your clinician, who can identify the best course of treatment for your specific scenario.
Scientists are still working out when to treat fevers, and when to leave them alone. But the next time you have one, as the sweat drips from your body and the shivering sets in, take the opportunity to marvel at your immune system’s efforts to protect you from further harm. It’s been millennia in the making.
* All content within this column is provided for general information only and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. The BBC is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of this site. The BBC is not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites. Always consult your own physician if you’re in any way concerned about your health.
—
For trusted insights into better health and wellbeing rooted in science, sign up to the Health Fix newsletter, while The Essential List delivers a handpicked selection of features and insights.
For more science, technology, environment and health stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
First Appeared on
Source link
