Fevers are not caused directly by viruses, but are actually a deliberate biological defense mechanism deployed by your own brain to cook invaders alive.

A closer look

Fevers are not caused directly by viruses, but are actually a deliberate biological defense mechanism deployed by your own brain to cook invaders alive. When your immune system detects an infection, it sends pyrogens to the hypothalamus, which acts as the body's internal thermostat. The brain responds by violently jacking up your core temperature to create an inhospitable, scorching wasteland for the invading pathogens. You feel absolutely miserable, shivering under three heavy blankets while sweating profusely, but this is just your body intentionally setting itself on fire to win a microscopic war. It is an extreme scorched-earth military tactic happening inside your bloodstream, proving your immune system would rather completely ruin your weekend than let a single rhinovirus survive