Fever

Fever is a temporary rise in body temperature caused by an elevated hypothalamic temperature set point. It commonly accompanies infection or inflammation and differs from overheating, in which the set point does not rise.

Hypothalamus: A brain region that regulates temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep, and several hormonal functions. Its temperature-control circuits raise the body's target temperature during fever.
Thermoregulation: The processes by which an organism maintains its internal temperature within a functional range. Fever is a regulated change within the body's temperature-control system.
Thermometer: An instrument that measures temperature. Clinical thermometers provide the measurements used to identify and monitor fever.
Malaria: A mosquito-borne disease caused by Plasmodium parasites that infect the liver and red blood cells. Some malaria infections produce recurring fever episodes as infected red cells rupture.
Prostaglandin E2: A lipid signaling molecule involved in inflammation, pain, and temperature regulation. It acts in the hypothalamus to help raise the temperature set point.
Core body temperature: The temperature of deep tissues and internal organs, distinct from skin temperature. Fever is assessed as a rise in internal body temperature.
Antipyretic: A medicine or substance that reduces fever. Antipyretics such as acetaminophen lower fever by reducing prostaglandin signaling.
Influenza: A contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Influenza commonly causes an acute fever alongside respiratory symptoms.
Pyrogen: A substance that induces fever by promoting an increase in the body's temperature set point. Pyrogens are the signals that initiate the set-point change.
Set point: A target value used by a control system to guide regulation of a variable. The hypothalamic set point rises in fever but stays unchanged in overheating.

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