Fever

ScientificWorldJournal. 2010 Mar 16:10:490-503. doi: 10.1100/tsw.2010.50.

Abstract

Measurement of body temperature remains one of the most common ways to assess health. An increase in temperature above what is considered to be a normal value is inevitably regarded as a sure sign of disease and referred to with one simple word: fever. In this review, we summarize how research on fever allowed the identification of the exogenous and endogenous molecules and pathways mediating the fever response. We also show how temperature elevation is common to different pathologies and how the molecular components of the fever-generation pathway represent drug targets for antipyretics, such as acetylsalicylic acid, the first "blockbuster drug". We also show how fever research provided new insights into temperature and energy homeostasis, and into treatment of infection and inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aspirin / therapeutic use
  • Fever* / drug therapy
  • Fever* / etiology
  • Fever* / physiopathology
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans

Substances

  • Aspirin