fever and sepsis

Question 1

briefly describe the mechanism of fever

Answer 1

lipopolysaccharides(endotoxin) interact with macrophages(WBC’s), macrophages release cytokines inot bloodstream cytokines travel to anterior hypothalamus, chemicals released to increase body’s temp. set point, body heats itself up(fever)

Question 2

how does a fever help defend against infection

Answer 2

normal body temp. = 37, fever = >38

most human pathogens grow best at 37 so when temp increases this slows pathogens growth and helps fight infection

Question 3

what is sepsis

Answer 3

sepsis is a host response to severe infection

Question 4

describe the mechanism of sepsis response

Answer 4

small blood vessels become ‘leaky’ and fluid enters tissue, lower blood volume means heart works harder to oxygenate(increased HR), poor blood perfusion (caused by decreased BP) to essential organs so body shuts down skin, liver and kidneys to keep blood supply to brain, blood clotting systems used for small blood vessels, get used up, more risk of haemorrhage