Fever

Normal body temperature in humans is regulated by the thermoregulatory center, which maintains a dynamic balance between heat production and heat dissipation through neural and humoral factors, keeping body temperature within a relatively constant range. Fever, medically termed pyrexia, refers to a condition where pyrogens directly act on the thermoregulatory center, or where thermoregulatory center dysfunction or various causes lead to excessive heat production or reduced heat dissipation, resulting in body temperature rising above the normal range. Each person's normal body temperature is slightly different and is influenced by many factors (time, season, environment, menstruation, etc.). It is generally 36-37°C. To determine whether fever is present, it is best to compare with one's own body temperature under the same conditions. If the original body temperature is unknown, an axillary temperature (measured for 10 minutes) exceeding 37.4°C can be defined as fever. There are many causes of fever, such as infection, tumors, autoimmune diseases, and hematological diseases, which cannot be clearly classified. Fever within a certain limit is a physiological defensive response of the body against disease. At this time, white blood cell production increases, liver detoxification function is enhanced, and material metabolism accelerates, which helps the body overcome the disease. However, excessively high or prolonged fever can cause severe dysfunction and metabolic disturbances in various systems and organs. In children with excessively high fever, brain cells may be damaged, and convulsions may even occur, with gradual loss of the ability to regulate body temperature. Considering the increased consumption of nutrients during fever, along with impaired digestion and absorption of food, prolonged fever can lead to weight loss, protein and vitamin deficiencies, and a series of secondary pathological changes. Therefore, excessively high or prolonged fever is harmful to the body. Thus, for patients with high fever, antipyretic measures should be taken promptly, and active treatment should be initiated immediately.