We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Fever Therapy?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,040
Share

Fever therapy is a form of medical treatment in which fever is deliberately induced in a patient with the goal of eradicating a disease. This treatment is rarely used in the modern era, as there are alternatives which appear to be safer and more effective. However, there have been some cases in which an incidental fever has led to substantial improvements for a patient, and some members of the medical community have advocated for a controlled reintroduction of fever therapy.

This therapy was originally introduced in the 1800s as a treatment for the later stages of syphilis. As patients began to experience serious neurological deficits, fever therapy with the use of the organisms behind malaria was used to halt the progress of the disease, and it appeared to be effective in some patients. Later, a version of fever therapy known as Mixed Bacteria Vaccine or Coley's Toxins was used to induce fever in patients to treat cancer.

As the field of medicine moved ahead by leaps and bounds in the 20th century, fever therapy was one of the many treatments to fall by the wayside. Doctors and researchers developed new treatments and new protocols which seemed to indicate that this therapy had fallen into obsolescence.

There are a number of issues with fever therapy which make it a therapy of questionable value. The first is that fever can be dangerous for patients. If the fever is not carefully monitored or controlled, it can damage the brain, leading to permanent neurological problems for the patient. This is especially true in pediatric patients, who are very vulnerable to fever.

The idea of introducing pathogens deliberately to a patient also runs against the instincts of most modern medical practitioners, who spend a great deal of time getting rid of pathogens in their patients. Especially in a hospital environment, fever therapy could also be dangerous to other patients, as the pathogens could jump to another patient with a compromised immune system.

A variety of claims are made about the efficacy of fever therapy. Patients who are interested in pursuing this treatment should talk with a doctor about the risks and benefits, and should consider getting several opinions to get a balanced version of the story. When claims are made about the benefits of fever therapy, it is advisable to ask for studies and information to back the claims up, and to ask about a doctor's personal rate of successes and complications when using fever therapy.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-fever-therapy.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.