IMMUNOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Exogenous pyrogens (e.g. bacteria, viruses, toxins) initiate fever, usually within 2 h of exposure, by interacting with macrophages or monocytes, leading to cytokine induction. Other mechanisms to initiate fever include: Some endotoxins, produced by bacteria, act directly on the hypothalamus to alter the set point.

Detailed explanation-2: -A fever can help your immune system fight infections in two ways. A higher temperature in the body speeds up how cells work, including the ones that fight illness. They can respond to invading germs faster. Also, higher body temperatures make it harder for bacteria and viruses to thrive in your body.

Detailed explanation-3: -Mucus secretion by goblet cells mediates delivery of intestinal material to dendritic cells. Goblet cells and their produced mucus is part of our innate immunity and intimately linked to the adaptive immune system.

Detailed explanation-4: -Fever can support the immune system’s attempt to gain advantage over infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria, and it makes the body less favorable as a host for replicating viruses and bacteria, which are temperature sensitive.

Detailed explanation-5: -In recent years, scientists have found some evidence that mucus is not just a physical barrier that traps bacteria and viruses, but it can also disarm pathogens and prevent them from causing infections.

Detailed explanation-6: -A cold virus can trigger the body to release histamine, a chemical that inflames your nasal membranes and causes them to produce a lot of mucus.