Topic 9

Question 1

Define fever

Answer 1

A high temperature is usually considered to be 38C or above. This is sometimes called a fever.

Many things can cause a high temperature, but it’s usually caused by your body fighting an infection.

Question 2

Define Pyrogens and what can the causes be divided into

Answer 2

Etiological factors, which causes fever
infectious and noninfectious

Exogenic and Endogenic (microbes)

Primary and Secondary (prolonged fever)

Question 3

What is pyrogenis and what does it depend on

Answer 3

This is defined as the production of heat.

This depends on Leukocytes- macrphages and T and B lymphocytes in terms of the immune response. while they are doing this they produce heat also inflammation vasodilation produce heat

Phagocytes are activated at 38.C as well as the T and B lymphocyes

Question 4

What role does thermoregulation and the hypothalamus play on fever

Answer 4

Thermoregulation- mechanism in terms of how the body maintains its body temperature

The function of the hypothalamus is to integrate information from temperature sensors and to modify body temperatures appropriately through its efferent control of thermoregulatory processes.

Fever is also thought to be regulated by the hypothalamus and its efferent pathways. Pyrogens initiate a series of reactions that cause the hypothalamus to increase its set-point temperature. Thermoregulatory processes initiated through spinal pathways increase the body temperature as if the body were exposed to cold environmental temperatures.

https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(12)60394-2/fulltext

Question 5

What are the factors of heat accumulation

Answer 5

Limitation of heat emission i.e. vasoconstriction (process of losing heat)

Disconnection of oxidation and phoshorylation

Heat production is called thermogenesis. Heat loss is called as thermolysis.

Question 6

What are the stages of fever

Answer 6

1. body temperature rises
2. high temperature is maintained
3. body temperature reduces this may be gradual or fast this happens due to extensive vasodilation

Question 7

What metabolic changes can cause fever

Answer 7

metabolism of either carbohydrates, lipids, proteins as well as metabolic acidosis and water-mineral balance

Question 8

What changes does the organ undergo following fever

Answer 8

Blood circulation- same as inflammation

Respiratory system- vasodilation and tachypnea

GI- lack of appetites, salivation decreases as well as gastric juices

Nervous system- insomnia, tiredness pain

Endocrine system- thyroxin contributes to fever development