I always used to wonder why we get fevers. What benefit could our body possibly have by purposely overheating us, sometimes to the point of near brain damage? A couple weeks ago I was teaching my student about the immune system and was somewhat surprised when I learned what fevers actually do.
When you get an infection, you have millions of microorganisms invading your body. These are living things and just like you, they require certain conditions to function properly. Strangely enough when their environment has too much heat for them, they actually slow down their metabolism and can't function as efficiently. On the other hand, your own body functions faster and more effectively when you get warmer.
When your body gets certain sickness it jumps into overdrive and starts turning your natural thermostat down so you feel cold, even when you aren't. You desperately try to get warm by bundling up under the covers, shivering, and turning up the AC. It raises the temperature to give you the upper hand against the invaders. Unfortunately your body can overdo this. If a fever raises too high, it can actually overheat to the point of seriously damaging your delicate brain tissues.
Fevers can actually be quite beneficial and give you a boost in your immunity if you keep a close eye on them and regulate them if they get anywhere near dangerous levels.
Every man dies, but few truly live. Live your life to its fullest, every day as if it were your last.