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I was discussing with a team mate on how to cure the (common) flu virus. We had a disagreement about the body temperature effect.

  • Con: Some argued that it's better to lower temperature, as it is a practice by nurses.
  • Pro: others argued it's better to raise one's temperature due to the effect on the virus.

Question

  • Does raising temperature –either by covering or metabolizing– help treat influenza?
  • What is the mechanism behind it?

Related

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Édouard Lopez
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  • I found this article [Do Not Kill a Fever: Fever Kills Viruses](http://www.naturalnews.com/027149_fever_virus_flu.html) that is a pro temperature rising (see _What Fever Is Actually About_ section) – Édouard Lopez Apr 14 '16 at 09:26
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    When a medical intervention is taken to reduce temperature of a fever, it's not to fight a disease but to protect you - high fever can lead to seizures and death. – James McLeod Apr 14 '16 at 09:55
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    Indeed, to my knowledge there's a margin of body temperature where viruses are killed but the body-proteins (say.. brain) is not. Only if the temperature rises to harmful levels will nurses attempt to cool you down. – npst Apr 15 '16 at 12:40
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    Why did you put the word virus back? Usually, one tries to **cure the flu**, or **kill the flu virus**. If you cure the flu virus, then you're making the flu virus stronger. I don't think this is what most people are going for... – gebruiker May 03 '16 at 14:14
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    @James At like 106F or higher. How often does that actually happen? Yet nurses try to lower fevers of only 102F all the time. –  May 03 '16 at 14:57
  • @gebruiker virii are sensible to temperature, bacteries not so much. – Édouard Lopez May 04 '16 at 08:40
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    Who said anything about bacteria? – gebruiker May 04 '16 at 09:21

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