Question

The faster breathing in high fever is due to the:
A. The additional requirement of O2 for the invader germs.
B. The high temperature of the body
C. The mental stress of a patient
D. loss of appetite

Answer 1

The hypothalamus gland combats pathogens by interfering with the thermoregulatory system. Invader organisms may be aerobic or anaerobic.

Complete answer:
1. Fever is a bodily combat mechanism wherein there is a temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness causing the organism. The blood and urine volumes are reduced during fever. This is due to the increased rate of perspiration.
2. The proteins are rapidly broken down. This leads to increased excretion of nitrogenous products like urea in the urine.
3. Due to an increased rate of metabolism, there is an increase in the demand for oxygen by tissue cells. This means the heart must contract more frequently (tachycardia) and with more force to keep up with the demand. The breathing rate is accelerated (tachypnea) to increase the rate of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.

Additional Information:
1. The invasion by a pathogen is detected by the neutrophils that are the first line of defense in the body. Sometimes, pathogens release toxins that are carried in the bloodstream and come into contact with leukocytes that result in an immune response. One of the several combat mechanisms during a fever is the increase in body temperature. This is done to reduce or cease the metabolic reactions in the bacteria.
2. Medicines that reduce the intensity of fever are known as antipyretics.

So, the correct answer is “Option B High temperature of the body.”.

Note:
1. A fever is a phenomenon wherein the body temperature is higher than the normal value that is 37 degrees Celsius. This normal temperature can vary from person to person.
2. A fever is not a disease or a disorder. It is rather a sign that the body is combating illness or infection. Infections are the ones that cause most of the fevers.