Spidersandbeavers
Spidersandbeavers t1_iuhv43o wrote
If you are asking about cellular mechanism in the hypothalamus, see below.
From: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562334/
Milton and Wendlandt demonstrated that fever is mediated by the pyrogenic activity of prostaglandins (PGs), specifically PGE2. The synthesis of PGE2 begins with membrane phospholipids being converted to arachidonic acid (AA) by phospholipase A2 (PLA2). AA is then converted to PGH2 via cyclooxygenase (COX), after which PGH2 undergoes isomerization to PGE2 by PGE synthase. PGE2 acts via the EP3 receptor to affect specific neurons within the hypothalamus that aid in thermoregulation. Medications that inhibit COX are a mainstay of treatment for fevers, as it halts the conversion of AA into PGE2 and, thus, other prostanoids that can lead to fever.
The action of PGE2 begins when exogenous pyrogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses) stimulate endogenous pyrogens such as IL-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interferon (IFN) to alter the hypothalamic set point via the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) and raise the core body temperature. Endogenous pyrogens also act to trigger an immune and inflammatory response. The immune response includes leukocytosis, T cell activation, B cell proliferation, NK cell killing, and increased white blood cell adhesion. The inflammatory response includes increased acute phase reactants, increased muscle protein breakdown, and increased synthesis of collagen.[4]
Spidersandbeavers t1_iuhop8h wrote
Reply to Connie Willis by ricocrispies
I love a lot of women sci fi writers. Nk jemisin is my favorite sci fi author. Ursula le guin is top 5. I kept coming back to connie wills, and tried doomsday book and blackout/all clear and found them both so boring. It was so much character and so little technology/magic that it didn’t feel like what I look for in sci fi. It was boring. Maybe I will eventually try again but I haven’t been successful with her despite multiple attempts.
Spidersandbeavers t1_irrzuei wrote
Reply to AskScience AMA Series: I am Prof. Beverley Hunt, OBE, and I am a hematologist in London, England. I am also chair of the World Thrombosis Day Steering Committee. I am here to talk about why MTHFR testing is unnecessary and can cause misinterpretation. AMA! by AskScienceModerator
What would be a legitimate reason to test for mthfr?
Spidersandbeavers t1_iwpv7gt wrote
Reply to AskScience AMA Series: We're Experts on Influenza (aka the Flu). AUA! by AskScienceModerator
How much more dangerous is flu for kids than covid? What about young adults? Where is the inflection point in age where covid becomes more dangerous? What about when vaccination is factored in (I.e. difference in danger from covid for a vaccinated 65 year old vs. Flu for that same person)?