Berkeley CSUA MOTD:Entry 11580
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2024/12/24 [General] UID:1000 Activity:popular
12/24   

2003/12/24-25 [Health/Disease/General] UID:11580 Activity:high
12/23   What is the purpose of a fever? Does a higher temperature kill viruses
        or something?
        \_ Most of the enzymes in your body are highly tuned to operate at
           a temperature of 98.6 (or so).  Viruses take over normal
           cellular machinery and convert them into producing more virii.
           Raise the temperature, and "normal" cellular machinery slows down,
           and the virii can't reproduce as fast with their commandeered
           equipment.  The immune system cells, though, have enzymes which
           work faster at the higher temperature.  So, the virii reproduce
           slower, and the immune system works faster, at higher temp.
           \_ There is no such word: "virii"  The correct word is:  viruses.
           \_ so, why do people want to lower the temperature with tylenol and
              wet towel on the head?
              \_ Accoring to the link below, you have a point but some people
                 have also died of persistent fever.
                 \_ I'd rather be sick for a little while longer than brain my
                    damage.
                    \_ looks like you're too late.
                    \_ So I was trying to prove this via Google (that over 98.7
                       kills brain cells). I know that higher temp kills sperms,
                       but I can't find proof that it'll kill brain cells. You
                       got a URL for this?
                       \_ "This is your brain on drugs".
                       \_ High fevers can cause brain damage.  Like 104 degrees
                \_ so, why do people want to lower the temperature with
                   tylenol and wet towel on the head?
                   \_ Accoring to the link below, you have a point but some
                      people have also died of persistent fever.
                   \_ I'd rather be sick for a little while longer than brain
                      my damage.
                        \_ So I was trying to prove this via Google (that
                           over 98.7 kills brain cells). I know that higher
                           temp kills sperms, but I can't find proof that
                           it'll kill brain cells. You got a URL for this?
                          and higher.
        \_ http://science.howstuffworks.com/question45.htm
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12/24   

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science.howstuffworks.com/question45.htm
When your body temperature rises because of an infection, it is called a fever . Fevers are caused by chemicals called pyrogens flowing in the blood stream . Pyrogens make their way to the hypothalamus in the brain, which is in charge of regulating body temperature. When pyrogens bind to certain receptors in the hypothalamus, body temperature rises. IL-1 is produced by white blood cells called macrophages when they come into contact with certain bacteria and viruses . IL-1 has multiple purposes, one of which is to signal other white blood cells, called helper T cells , into action. One purpose of a fever is thought to be to raise the bodys temperature enough to kill off certain bacteria and viruses sensitive to temperature changes. One interesting debate right now, therefore, is, Should you lower a fever?