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Most of our society lives with the idea that health is a state of "feeling good" and "not being sick or diseased." We fear contact with bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. We use antibacterial soap, sprays, pills, potions and lotions. We are constantly "gearing up" for the next big flu pandemic, etc.
In traditional cultures, fevers were always well respected and understood. Most people knew that the fever would build up and then break, much like a wave rolling into shore. Now, our society tries to suppress the fever immediately using antipyretics, or substances that lower temperature.
These antipyretics include acetaminophen and ibuprofen. These quickly lower the temperature, but they also silence the body and hinder the development of the immune system. This allows the invading organisms to survive and contribute to the formation of chronic disease.
Your immune system is a muscle:
The immune system functions like a muscle in that must be challenged in order to grow stronger. Without resistance the immune system cannot get any stronger. An appropriate resistance may at times give someone a cold or fever. This is a natural adaptive response that the body makes in order to allow the immune system to function at a greater level.Getting a cold or a flu and having feverish symptoms may be the best expression of health for someone. Their individual immune system's metabolic capacity may have been so weak that they couldn't handle the natural environmental stressors. So the body became vulnerable and developed a viral or bacterial infection.
Fevers stimulate the immune system:
The immune system responds to fend off infection and strengthen the body. Microorganisms can only survive at unique temperature ranges. The innate intelligence within our body understands this and has adapted since the beginning of time to create an environment that is incompatible for these infectious organisms.As our core temperature rises, it reduces the microorganism load in the body. The body will not want to elevate temperature to the point of killing off all its good microbes but will if necessary. When the body is under extreme infection, the core temperature has to regulate the internal ecosystem by increasing the temperature and killing off microbes.
Our normal body temperature is said to be 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. A fever is defined by an oral temperature that exceeds 100.4 degrees. At 101 degrees, most bacteria are unable to survive, and at 102 degrees, the viruses are unable to replicate and spread in the body. Fevers are typically self-limiting and short in duration. They are not dangerous until they get up over 104 degrees in temperature.
The increasing temperature activates the immune system:
As the core temperature elevates, it activates the CD8+ cytotoxic T cell. This is a special lymphocyte that is able to destroy cancerous cells and cells infected with viruses. Researchers have found that higher body temperatures raise the number of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. This creates a significantly greater immune response against infection.The increase in core temperature also elevates neutrophils, which are unique immune cells that selectively target infectious bacterial cells. The temperature increase also improves enzymatic activity to create an environment that is unkind to the infectious microbes.
According to Dr. John Wherry, PhD, deputy editor of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, "Having a fever might be uncomfortable, ... but [research reports show] that having a fever is part of an effective immune response."
Over-sterilizing our environment and using synthetic chemicals, such as drugs, artificial vitamins and fever reducers, only makes our body weaker. These products are like a crutch that does not allow the body to adapt and get stronger. So we end up weak and vulnerable and unable to effectively adapt to a challenging environment.
The role of mucus formation:
Mucosal surfaces are the primary entry points into the body for pathogenic microorganisms. Until recently, most scientists viewed mucus as simply a physical barrier that helped to prevent against the invasion of infectious organisms. It was also thought to play a lubricating role between tissues. However, the latest research shows that mucus appears to be the primary home of unique organisms called bacteriophages.Bacteriophages, which are also called "phages," are viruses that infect and replicate within bacteria. They selectively target antagonistic microbes and thus enhance the health of the host.
Wherever bacteria and other microorganisms reside you will also find phages.
Researchers have found evidence that phages partner with host animals and humans to kill off unwanted bacterial colonies and control the composition of friendly microorganisms in the body. This reduces infectious organisms and improves the immune system.
In times of fever, the body increases mucus to trap bacteria and enhance the activity of phages in order to reduce infectious organisms. This is an intelligent response by the body to prevent chronic infection and disease development. Trust the body and trust your symptoms!
When is a fever dangerous?
You should always consult your natural health physician when fevers go over 103 degrees or last longer than four days. If the fever causes tremendous discomfort, trouble breathing or convulsions at any time, it would be an indication to go to the emergency room.One should drink tons of clean water and use electrolytes such as fresh squeezed lemon. This will support the body as it uses up fluids and electrolytes quickly in an effort to rid itself of the infectious organisms. If the temperature gets up over 104 degrees, an ice bath can help bring it down a bit so as to not cause damage to any of the vital organs.
