3 ms·

I'm wondering if some of the downside of anti-inflammatories is that they often lower fevers. A fever is the body's natural response to infection, to raise the

I'm wondering if some of the downside of anti-inflammatories is that they often lower fevers. A fever is the body's natural response to infection, to raise the rate of chemical reactions and make more immune cells: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111101130200.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111101130200.h... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4869589/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4869589/ I also think that this is part of the mechanism that makes zinc effective against viruses as a catalyst. Generally, I think that it's good to keep fevers down for non-lethal infections like the common cold, especially for children. Just beware that aspirin may cause Reye's syndrome in the young: https://www.healthline.com/health/headache-reyes-syndrome https://www.healthline.com/health/headache-reyes-syndrome But for serious infections like Covid-19, maybe it would be better to maintain a relatively safe temperature of say 101-102 F (38-39 C)? I'm honestly curious to know what doctors think of this.

fhars 7y ago
That is probably completely dependent on the infection you are treating. Sometimes it may be better to reduce stress on the patient, sometimes higher temperatures help stop the infection. After all, someone got a Nobel prize for infecting people with malaria to cure them of syphilis https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrotherapy https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrotherapy
topkai22 7y ago
Good summary, althoughI would be more forceful about aspirin- don't use it for children under 12 without a medical professional recommending it. While Reyes syndrome is rare, acetaminophen and ibuprofen are equally effective, available, and do not carry the risk.
- robocat 7y ago
  Taking too much acetaminophen (Paracetomol) is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States. There has been a huge PR push (in advertising etc) against Aspirin and for other NSAIDs. Of course, take care, but don’t be sucked in by marketing.
  - robocat 7y ago
    To add to that: 1. High dose aspirin might have been implicated in causing higher death rates from 1918 influenza: https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/49/9/1405/301441 https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/49/9/1405/301441 (daily doses of 8 to 31.2 grams, are above the maximum safe dose) 2. But low dose aspirin has been studied and effects are not apparent e.g. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4737981/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4737981/

fhars 7y ago

That is probably completely dependent on the infection you are treating. Sometimes it may be better to reduce stress on the patient, sometimes higher temperatures help stop the infection. After all, someone got a Nobel prize for infecting people with malaria to cure them of syphilis https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrotherapy https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrotherapy

topkai22 7y ago

Good summary, althoughI would be more forceful about aspirin- don't use it for children under 12 without a medical professional recommending it. While Reyes syndrome is rare, acetaminophen and ibuprofen are equally effective, available, and do not carry the risk.

robocat 7y ago
Taking too much acetaminophen (Paracetomol) is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States. There has been a huge PR push (in advertising etc) against Aspirin and for other NSAIDs. Of course, take care, but don’t be sucked in by marketing.
- robocat 7y ago
  To add to that: 1. High dose aspirin might have been implicated in causing higher death rates from 1918 influenza: https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/49/9/1405/301441 https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/49/9/1405/301441 (daily doses of 8 to 31.2 grams, are above the maximum safe dose) 2. But low dose aspirin has been studied and effects are not apparent e.g. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4737981/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4737981/