Fever and inflammation are often signs that your body is fighting an infection. But did you know that while these processes can help protect you, they can also cause some damage to your immune system?
Why Does Fever Happen?
Fever occurs when your body raises its temperature to fight off harmful pathogens like bacteria and viruses. Local inflammation around an injury or infection can also raise the temperature in nearby tissues, making it harder for germs to thrive. But what happens at the cellular level during this temperature change?
Immune Cells Under Heat
Our immune system’s T cells play a crucial role in defending the body. They detect and kill infected cells, manage inflammation, and activate other immune responses. But when scientists at Vanderbilt University tested how these T cells respond to increased temperatures, they discovered something surprising.
At feverish temperatures (around 102°F or 39°C), T cells became more active, producing more inflammatory signals. While this might sound beneficial, it also meant that some T cells, like T helper 1 cells, were harmed. These cells showed signs of stress and DNA damage due to the heat, which can impair their ability to fight infection.
The Double-Edged Sword of Fever
While the heat makes T cells work harder, it also disrupts their function. Higher temperatures made these cells more likely to generate damaging byproducts, leading to cell stress and even self-destruction. If the cells survived, they grew more mitochondria (the energy factories of cells) and became more active.
The Impact on Chronic Inflammation
This research is not just about a temporary fever. In conditions like Crohn’s disease or rheumatoid arthritis—where inflammation is ongoing—cells experience similar stresses. Scientists found that, in these diseases, immune cells showed signs of DNA damage and stress, just like they did during fever. This suggests that chronic inflammation could contribute to long-term issues like cancer risk.
Key Takeaway
While fever and inflammation are part of your body’s natural defense, they can also push immune cells to their limits, causing potential damage. Understanding this balance can help researchers figure out better ways to manage chronic diseases and improve immune system function.
