|
Page 1 of 2 Natural Immunity
Fevers are a common symptom in childhood. Many parents are frightened when their child has a fever, when in fact it is one of the most powerful defense mechanisms we have against disease and infection. It is widely known that a fever activates the child's immune system. In many cases a fever actually strengthens the immune system and helps to prevent susceptibility to other illnesses later in life.
 As Dr. Uwe Stave, medical pediatrician, states, "Fever attacks can affect children in quite a positive way. Even though his physical strength is reduced, the child may disclose a wealth of new interests and skills. After a fever, the child reveals a spurt of development and maturation."
George Wootan, M.D., author of Pediatrics: A Course For Parents, reports that the height of the fever has nothing to do with the severity of the disease. He states that the child's body will regulate his/her inner temperature as needed. Even Hippocrates, the father of medicine, taught that a fever was a helpful body response to disease and infection.
How does a fever work?
The fever process works like this: the child develops an infection, to which the body responds by making additional leukocytes (white blood cells). These cells fight the infection by destroying the bacteria and viruses then removing the dead tissue. The activity level of the white cells is also increased as they move rapidly to the site of the infection. This is called leucotaxis, and it is activated by the release of pyrogens that raise the body temperature. Metabolic rate and oxygen consumption increases. An increase in body temperature simply means that the process of healing is speeding up. Also, iron, which bacteria need to survive, is removed from the blood and stored in the liver. This reduces the rate at which the bacteria multiply. As this whole process of defense in the body progresses, a substance called interferon becomes more effective and aids in the fight of the infection. Because a fever is regulated by the body, it rarely, if ever, reaches a level that would be hazardous to the child.
Studies show that reducing a fever may not be in the best interest of the developing child. In such diseases as chicken pox or influenza, a deadly form of Reye's syndrome may result if the child is given aspirin. Because of this, the centers for Disease control and the Committee on Infectious Diseases of the American Academy of Pediatrics now warn against giving aspirin to children. When a fever is artificially suppressed by any method, the body's defense system is not fully activated.
Antibiotic Therapy
A report in the Pediatrics Infectious Disease Journal evaluated the use of antibiotic therapy in the treatment of strep throat and ear infections. The researchers compared two groups, the first one given the antibiotic immediately after the symptoms occurred, and the other group receiving delayed treatment or none at all. In the immediately-treated group, the symptoms (fever, sore throat, painful swallowing, headache, abdominal pain, swollen glands, lethargy, irritability, and loss of appetite) lessened, and recovery time was reduced. But when the treatment was delayed or not administered at all, there were fewer recurrent episodes of strep throat and ear infections. Over a four month period, the children who were given the antibiotic immediately when the symptoms first occurred experienced two and a half times more bouts of strep throat. Similar results were reported for ear infections when treated immediately; those that received antibiotics immediately had more ear infections than those with delayed treatment or no treatment at all. The researchers concluded that when antibiotics were delayed or not given, children were able to build a natural immunity.
|
