It can lead to swelling and the loss of fluid from the intravascular space. Inflammation is usually a localized event . Swelling is due to the accumulation of fluid in the tissue, redness is due to increased blood flow to the area, pain is due to the action of bradykinin and prostaglandins on local nerve tissue and heat is due to increased blood flow to the area. However, inflammation can often have systemic effects. For example, fever.
Fever is triggered when the hypothalamus's set point is changed by the action of cytokines.
The cytokines reponsible are interleukin- 1, interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor. Fever itself is an adaptive reponse. It increases wbc motility, stimulates interferon production and activates T cells. It also inhibits the growth of many microrganisms. Clinically Speaking Asthma is a good illustration of the adverse effects of inflammation.