Tue May 06 09:20:19 UTC 2025: ## Fever’s Role in Immune Response Explained
**CHENNAI, INDIA (May 6, 2025)** – A new article in The Hindu explores the science behind fever, explaining its role in the body’s immune response. According to Nigel Eastmond of the University of Liverpool, fever, or the increase in core body temperature during illness, is a response to infection or injury.
The article details the process: White blood cells release cytokines, specifically interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha, which trigger the production of prostaglandins in the brain. These prostaglandins interact with the hypothalamus, signaling the body to raise its temperature through increased metabolic rate and shivering.
While the exact mechanisms are still being researched, experimental work suggests that elevated temperatures can boost certain aspects of the immune response and slow bacterial growth. The article highlights the complex interplay of immune cells and brain chemicals in the fight against infection.
First Piper 