Why Do You Get A Fever? | Earth Science

Fevers are never fun, but why do they happen? Greg foot explains why your body heats you up.

Here at BBC Earth Science we answer all your curious questions about science in the world around you. If there’s a question you have that we haven’t yet answered or an experiment you’d like us to try let us know in the comments on any of our videos and it could be answered by one of our Earth Science experts.

[jessechen]

Why does it sting when you put water or salt water on a fresh wound?

[Zunty]

Good timing for this video. I've currently got a cold and it's interesting too know how your body fights back. Thanks and keep up the good work :).

[javie._]

I have a fever right now and also my tonsils are infected 😞😭 my throat is itchy and got a headache

[dianaacosta]

i have a fever right now, i feel like im dying

[JaredReabow]

these bad reasons to thumbs up are a tad annoying, we all know why you want them so why not just be honest!

[legenduk]

Question:

It might just be me but I'm curious, why is it when you experience a small pain in one part of the body you feel another pain somewhere else?

For example, a hair on your leg gets tugged by your trousers and you feel a small sting on the back of your shoulder, makes no sense and I'd be interested in the science behind it

[Selphurion]

Perfect timing. I have been sick for 4 days.

[JanessaIrvine]

I'm an Australian but still we had colds, the flu and hooping cough go around this Spring.

[sratus]

Brilliant. Love a bit of Head Squeeze on a Monday morning.

[TechLaboratories]

Fill-in-the-gap note:  Your body raises its temperature in a couple of ways - first, by converting energy stored in sugars and fats to heat through rapid muscle contractions (shivering); second, by reducing blood flow to the appendages to keep the heat energy in the core, where there is less surface area to dispel; and thirdly, by making you 'feel cold' at the same external temperature, so that you'll put on more clothes or a blanket to trap the heat that is escaping from your body, reducing the amount of heat lost for a similar metabolic state.  In any (or through a combination) of these three cases the effect is the same - raising the internal temperature to help the immune system fight infection.

[Pistachiosize]

I have a fever and all the symptoms match up. I also have a head ache but thats just me staying up too late or something.

[RobertGallop]

So, would it be bad to take Tylenol or similar to reduce or "break" your temperature? I know it makes you "feel" better in the short term, but would you get better quicker overall if you just let your temp run high, but not dangerously so? Would your body be able to rid itself of the virus quicker at high temps, or once you have the virus, does the temp not matter as much and it's more of a prevention function or something?

[roflcopter]

My fail-safe sniffle solution is: going to bed with two jumpers on, wearing a beanie, and sleeping in two blankets.

[EnellGmz]

Is cold shower really good for your health?
Do you sweat more with long or short hair?

[erinwadsworth]

I have the flu now. an I have a fever. of 101. now. oh man it sucks

[VideoGamerDerek]

never knew almost any of this, thanks! :D

[Amako]

Hey Greg ! I was wondering : why can you feel pain at different places of your brains and not just one ? (for example, when you get up too fast, it hurts the fronthead) :)

[hackedstalked]

The Christmas Party is sooo cute!
In America we use Christmas lights all throughout the year for night lights and fun!
On the cieling blue ones mimmick constellations and are quite soothing.
Have a blessed day!
Mrs.Soriano

[zeratir]

I mostly feel cold when i have a fever...

[samuelaktarlaskar]

yesterday I slept with 100% speed of fan and now am sick.

:( ...what is your cause for last fever??