• Cann Stephen A Hoption SAH Clinical Professor, School of Population & Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Electronic addre.
• Clinical Professor, School of Population & Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: hoption.cann@ubc.ca.
• Am. J. Med. Sci. 2021 Apr 1; 361 (4): 420-426.

AbstractWith mortality rising from the COVID-19 pandemic, we may be overlooking a key aspect of the immunological response. Fever is a cardinal sign of this rampant infection; however, little attention has been paid towards how a fever may work in our favor in overcoming this disease. Three key aspects of patient care - fever, fluid, and food - can be harmonized to overcome COVID-19 infection. Both animal and human studies have demonstrated that fever suppression during viral infections, either through low ambient temperatures or antipyretic use, may increase morbidity and prolong the illness. As fever rises, so do antidiuretic hormone levels, leading to solute-free water retention - making conservative fluid management essential. Finally, fever inhibits gastrointestinal function as energy is reallocated to the immunological response, underscoring the need to work in concert with these physiological changes. An opportunity awaits to investigate this natural barrier to infection, let us not pass it by.Copyright © 2021 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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