An abnormal rise in body temperature is most often caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Normal body temperature varies from 36.7 to 37.2 C. One should not be unduly concerned, unless body temperature rises above 38 C in adults or 38.1 C in children. Running a high temperature is a defence mechanism by the body to destroy harmful microbes. When destructive microbes or tumour cells invade the body, the immune cells rush to fight them, releasing proteins that tell the hypothalamus to raise body temperature.

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