Potential for Further Mismanagement of Fever During COVID-19 Pandemic: Possible Causes and Impacts

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology
• Public Health

Background:

• Fever is a critical component of managing acute infectious diseases, particularly when therapeutics are limited.
• Misconceptions and conflicting guidelines, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, hinder appropriate fever management.
• Current guidelines may not fully leverage fever's beneficial immune-boosting and pathogen-inhibiting properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To restate the benefits of fever in resolving infectious diseases.
• To address and dispel common myths surrounding fever management.
• To advocate for the alignment of national treatment guidelines with WHO recommendations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on fever's physiological roles.
• Analysis of current national and international fever management guidelines.
• Critical evaluation of the scientific basis for fever thresholds in treatment recommendations.

Main Results:

• Temperatures around 39°C enhance crucial immune responses (heat-shock, humoral, cell-mediated, nutritional).
• Fever at or above 40°C activates antiviral defenses and inhibits pathogens like SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and measles.
• Conflicting guidelines risk public health by preventing optimal utilization of fever's natural protective mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Fever possesses significant beneficial roles in combating infectious diseases.
• Dispelling myths and clarifying guidelines are essential for public health.
• Aligning national guidelines with WHO recommendations will promote appropriate practices and reduce infectious disease morbidity and mortality.