title: The pathophysiological basis and consequences of fever.
abstract: There are numerous causes of a raised core temperature. A fever occurring in sepsis may be associated with a survival benefit. However, this is not the case for non-infective triggers. Where heat generation exceeds heat loss and the core temperature rises above that set by the hypothalamus, a combination of cellular, local, organ-specific, and systemic effects occurs and puts the individual at risk of both short-term and long-term dysfunction which, if severe or sustained, may lead to death. This narrative review is part of a series that will outline the pathophysiology of pyrogenic and non-pyrogenic fever, concentrating primarily on the pathophysiology of non-septic causes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XX, UK. ewalter@nhs.net.
authors.forename: Edward James
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XX, UK.
authors.forename: Sameer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hanna-Jumma
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XX, UK.
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carraretto
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XX, UK.
authors.forename: Lui
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Forni
mesh_terms: D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005334:Fever / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Fever; Heatstroke; Hyperthermia; Organ failure; Physiopathology