The Curious Clinicians [Archive] - Why is fever beneficial?
Sep 18, 2024
Fever serves as a fascinating evolutionary adaptation that benefits both humans and animals. The discussion dives into how fever enhances immune responses and inhibits pathogen growth, shedding light on its protective role. Experiments with lizards, fish, and honeybees illustrate various temperature regulation strategies in nature. The complexities surrounding fever management in clinical practice raise questions about the common use of antipyretics. Overall, fever reveals surprising advantages that challenge conventional medical approaches.
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Evolutionary History of Fever
- Fever evolved about 600 million years ago, older than adaptive immunity but younger than innate immunity.
- Its evolutionary conservation across vertebrates suggests fever offers significant biological benefits despite drawbacks.
Lizard Fever Behavior Example
- Lizards infected with bacteria move to warmer environments to raise their body temperature by about 2°C.
- This behavioral fever boosts survival by creating less hospitable conditions for pathogens.
Temperature Effects on Infected Lizards
- In controlled temperature boxes, 75% of infected lizards survived at 42°C, 25% at 38°C, and none at 34°C.
- This confirms that higher body temperatures improve survival in infected ectotherms like lizards.