TED-Ed: Why do you get a fever when you're sick? | Christian Moro

In 1917, doctors used malaria to treat syphilis, relying on fever to combat the disease. Fever, a costly but ancient evolutionary trait, is regulated by the hypothalamus and plays a crucial role in immune response. It helps mobilize immune cells and limit pathogen spread. Despite its benefits, the decision to suppress fever is made case by case, considering patient comfort and health status.

What are heat shock proteins (HSPs) and what role do they play in the immune response?

Discuss the potential effects of fever suppressor drugs based on clinical trials.

What factors do doctors consider when deciding whether to suppress a fever?