Fever is a rise in our body's normal temperature, which, on average, is 98.6 degrees Farenheit. Fever is part of our body's defense mechanism. When our bodies are fighting infections, our body temperature rises.
Fever is a symptom of an infection.
Fever is a syptom of almost every disease known to man. Illnesses caused by viruses and bacteria invade our bodies and make us sick. Without our immune system to fight off these infections, we could die. Colds, tonsillitis, otitis media, the flu, bronchitis, tetanus, measles, mumps, chicken pox, AIDS, pneumonia are all examples of bacterial and viral infections. Temperature is usually measured in the mouth by a thermometer being held under the tongue for 5 to 8 minutes.