When you're feeling under the weather and you touch your forehead, you may notice it feels warmer than usual. This warmth is what we commonly call a fever. But have you ever wondered why this happens? What causes your body temperature to rise?

The answer often lies in a process called inflammation. Let's take a closer look at the link between fever and inflammation.

Inflammation is our body's frontline defense mechanism. It can be seen as an in-built alarm system. When your body detects something harmful, such as injury or infection, it springs into action.

The main purpose of this response is to remove the cause of any cell injury, clear out damaged tissues, and begin the healing process.

The process starts when tiny blood vessels in the area expand to allow more blood to flow, leading to redness and warmth. This increased blood flow also allows more white blood cells to reach the site of injury or infection. These white blood cells, also known as leukocytes, are our body's soldiers that fight off germs and help heal wounds.

Alongside redness and warmth, the affected area might also swell. This swelling, or edema, occurs as the blood vessels become leaky, allowing fluid to seep into the surrounding tissues.

Though it can cause discomfort, this swelling is actually helpful: it allows more immune cells to reach the area and fight off the infection or heal the injury.

Inflammation is closely tied to fever due to chemicals called pyrogens. Pyrogens are released into the bloodstream during inflammation, especially when the body is fighting off bacterial or viral infections.

These pyrogens, once released, travel to the brain where they interact with the hypothalamus, a small region at the base of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat. The pyrogens signal the hypothalamus to raise the body's temperature set-point - similar to turning up the thermostat in your home.

In response to the new set-point, your body uses several methods to increase its temperature.

For example, you might feel chills or start shivering as your body tries to generate more heat. Your body might also reduce blood flow to your skin to minimize heat loss, making you feel cold even though your core body temperature is rising.

While a fever can make you feel unwell, it serves a critical role in the body's defense mechanism.

An elevated body temperature creates an unfavorable environment for harmful germs, making it harder for them to survive and reproduce. Some studies have suggested that certain bacteria and viruses are less likely to multiply effectively at higher temperatures.

In addition to inhibiting the growth of germs, a fever enhances the immune system's function. Just like soldiers fighting more efficiently in high-alert situations, the white blood cells - our body's defenders - become more effective in a warmer environment. Higher body temperatures have been shown to increase the production of immune cells and enhance their ability to destroy germs.

While the link between fever and improved immune response is still a subject of scientific research, it's clear that fever plays a key role in helping the body fight off infections.

As always, if your fever is high or prolonged, it's important to seek medical attention as it could be a sign of a more serious condition.

When you're dealing with a fever, your body is essentially fighting off an infection or other illness. In these times, self-care becomes even more crucial. Here are a few key ways you can manage fever and inflammation at home:

Hydrate: Your body needs plenty of fluids to function well, but it needs even more when you're sick. When you have a fever, you sweat more and lose fluids faster. Drinking plenty of water, herbal tea, or clear broths can help replace these lost fluids and keep your body hydrated.

Rest: While you might be tempted to carry on with your usual daily activities, your body needs all the energy it can get to fight the infection. Taking a break and getting good sleep can help your body recover faster.

Eat well: Even if you don't feel like eating, it's important to try and have small, nutritious meals. Your body needs fuel to function, especially when it's working hard to heal.

Use over-the-counter medicines: Non-prescription drugs like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce fever and relieve any pain or discomfort caused by inflammation. Remember to always follow the dosage instructions on the packaging.

Temperature monitoring: Keeping a close watch on your fever is important. Use a reliable fever thermometer like the iProven thermometer to regularly check your temperature.

Using an iProven thermometer is pretty straightforward. Depending on the specific model, you can measure your temperature using forehead or ear readings.

For a forehead reading, simply swipe the thermometer across your forehead or lightly press it against the temple area. Ensure proper contact with the skin.

If you're using an ear thermometer, gently insert the probe into the ear canal and press the button to take the reading. It's essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper usage and positioning. Remember to clean the thermometer before and after each use to maintain accuracy and hygiene.

Keep a record of these readings to track the progress of your fever. This can be helpful information to share with your healthcare provider if needed.

When to see a doctor: If your fever lasts more than a few days, is very high (above 103 F or 39.4 C), or is accompanied by other severe symptoms like difficulty in breathing, severe headache, or confusion, seek immediate medical attention. Prolonged or high fever could indicate a more serious condition that needs medical intervention.

Inflammation and fever are closely linked, and both play crucial roles in your body's defense against harmful invaders.

Understanding this connection can help us appreciate why we get fevers and how they assist our bodies in fighting off infections. Remember, while fevers are generally a natural response, always seek medical advice if a fever is high or lasts more than a few days.

So the next time you feel a bit warm during a cold or infection, remember that it's your body's way of turning up the heat on those germs!