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Critical Care
Published in: Critical Care 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Review

The pathophysiological basis and consequences of fever

Authors: Edward James Walter, Sameer Hanna-Jumma, Mike Carraretto, Lui Forni

Published in: Critical Care | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

There are numerous causes of a raised core temperature. A fever occurring in sepsis may be associated with a survival benefit. However, this is not the case for non-infective triggers. Where heat generation exceeds heat loss and the core temperature rises above that set by the hypothalamus, a combination of cellular, local, organ-specific, and systemic effects occurs and puts the individual at risk of both short-term and long-term dysfunction which, if severe or sustained, may lead to death. This narrative review is part of a series that will outline the pathophysiology of pyrogenic and non-pyrogenic fever, concentrating primarily on the pathophysiology of non-septic causes.
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Metadata
Title
The pathophysiological basis and consequences of fever
Authors
Edward James Walter
Sameer Hanna-Jumma
Mike Carraretto
Lui Forni
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Critical Care / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1364-8535
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-016-1375-5

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