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I was discussing with a team mate on how to cure the (common) flu virus. We had a disagreement about the body temperature effect.

  • Con: Some argued that it's better to lower temperature, as it is a practice by nurses.
  • Pro: others argued it's better to raise one's temperature due to the effect on the virus.

Question

  • Does raising temperature –either by covering or metabolizing– help treat influenza?
  • What is the mechanism behind it?

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    When a medical intervention is taken to reduce temperature of a fever, it's not to fight a disease but to protect you - high fever can lead to seizures and death.
    – James McLeod
    Commented Apr 14, 2016 at 9:55
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    Indeed, to my knowledge there's a margin of body temperature where viruses are killed but the body-proteins (say.. brain) is not. Only if the temperature rises to harmful levels will nurses attempt to cool you down.
    – npst
    Commented Apr 15, 2016 at 12:40
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    Why did you put the word virus back? Usually, one tries to cure the flu, or kill the flu virus. If you cure the flu virus, then you're making the flu virus stronger. I don't think this is what most people are going for...
    – gebruiker
    Commented May 3, 2016 at 14:14
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    @James At like 106F or higher. How often does that actually happen? Yet nurses try to lower fevers of only 102F all the time.
    – user11643
    Commented May 3, 2016 at 14:57
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    Who said anything about bacteria?
    – gebruiker
    Commented May 4, 2016 at 9:21

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