Feeling shaky and uneasy with a fever? Don’t panic—your body might just be doing its job. While many rush to medicate at the first sign of elevated temperature, experts say a mild fever is often a sign of a strong immune response.

Fever: Your Body’s Built-In Defense

According to Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Delhi’s Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, fever is not a disease—it’s a natural response to infection. When bacteria or viruses invade, the immune system raises body temperature to fight them off. This elevated heat can actually help stop the spread of infections.

“Fever is a defensive mechanism,” Dr. Chatterjee explained in a conversation with Local 18. It shows that the immune system is actively protecting the body. In fact, not developing a fever during an infection might suggest that your immune system isn’t functioning properly.

What No Fever Might Mean

In individuals with compromised immune systems—such as those undergoing cancer treatments, transplants, or living with AIDS—the body may not trigger a fever at all. This absence is not a good sign. It may indicate that the immune system is too weak to respond to threats, making these individuals more vulnerable to complications.

When to Worry About Fever

For most healthy adults, a mild fever that lasts a day or two usually doesn’t require treatment. Dr. Chatterjee advises against immediately reaching for medication in such cases, as suppressing the fever might interfere with your body’s healing process.

However, high fever—especially in children or the elderly—needs prompt medical attention. Temperatures hitting 104°F or above can signal serious underlying issues. And during extreme heat or suspected heat stroke, any rise in body temperature should be treated urgently.

In short, not all fevers are cause for alarm. In many cases, it’s just your body doing what it was built to do—defend and heal.