This type of fever is generally harmless. Many parents incorrectly think that a temperature of 104 to 106 F will cause brain damage to occur, or that if a fever is untreated it will rise higher. As a result, inappropriate treatment is frequently employed, such as providing medications to reduce the fever. At this point brain damage can occur. In all cases children with fever of 106 F and above should be referred for medical evaluation.
Fever has a direct effect on the immune system.
When one has a fever, the CNS increases the body s metabolism while decreasing its ability to disperse heat. A fever reduces the amount of iron in the blood stream that is needed by invading bacteria, thus starving the invader of needed nutrients. A fever also increases the activity of white blood cells that kill bacteria in your body. When the virus or bacterial imbalance has returned to normal the fever breaks and body temperature returns to normal. In the subluxated child there can be interference in the body s fever mechanism.