Can a fever damage the brain?

Fever itself usually does not "damage the brain." Fever is a protective mechanism of the immune system fighting infection and in most cases does not directly harm the brain. The rise in body temperature is controlled by the thermoregulatory center in the brain, which generally maintains body temperature within a safe range. Fevers caused by common colds or influenza rarely exceed 41°C (105.8°F), a level at which brain cells typically remain unharmed.

In infants and young children, whose nervous systems are not yet fully developed, high fever may sometimes trigger febrile seizures,表现为短暂的抽搐. However, the vast majority of such episodes do not result in lasting neurological consequences. The real danger comes from hyperpyrexia or central nervous system infections: brain cells may be damaged only when body temperature remains consistently above 42°C (107.6°F, or when there is an infection such as meningitis or encephalitis, which can cause protein denaturation or pathogen invasion.

Key points for home care:

1. Measure body temperature every 4 hours. If temperature exceeds 38.5°C (101.3°F), take paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed by a physician to reduce fever.
2. Maintain good ventilation in the environment, wear light, breathable cotton clothing, and apply lukewarm water compresses to areas with large blood vessels such as the neck, armpits, and groin to aid heat dissipation.
3. Drink small amounts of warm water, light salt water, or oral rehydration solution frequently throughout the day, with a total daily intake of no less than 1500 mL to prevent dehydration and promote cooling.
4. Choose easily digestible foods such as rice porridge, steamed egg, and vegetable soup. Avoid high-protein and high-fat meals that may increase metabolic burden.

If symptoms such as confusion, persistent seizures, neck stiffness, repeated vomiting, or skin petechiae appear, seek immediate medical attention to rule out meningitis, encephalitis, or other serious infections.

Remember, fever itself is mostly harmless. The key is identifying the underlying cause, controlling body temperature, monitoring for warning signs, and seeking professional help promptly.