fever - non-specific defence Flashcards
1
Q
what is a fever?
A
- non-specific (2nd line of defence)
elevation of body temp above 37 degrees during the course of infection
2
Q
why do fevers occur?
A
- due to the resetting of the body’s thermostat to a higher level
- controlled by the hypothalamus
- pyrogens are released by WBCs in response to a foreign intruder = act directly on the hypothalamus.
3
Q
what does a high body temperature do?
A
- inhibits growth of some bacteria + viruses = kills pathogens
- speeds up rate of chemical reactions
- increases reporduction of white blood cells
4
Q
what is the body’s core temp?
A
36.5
5
Q
what is the 1st step to a fever?
A
due to infection the body’s thermostat becomes set at an abnormally high level
6
Q
what is the 2nd step to a fever?
A
body feels cold and responds by shivering and vasoconstriction in the skin
7
Q
what is the 3rd step to a fever?
A
body temperature rises
8
Q
what is the 4th step of a fever?
A
fever breaks, with sweating and vasodilation in the skin
9
Q
what is the last step of a fever?
A
body temperature falls
