Why does cirrhosis of the liver always cause fever?

Patients with cirrhosis often experience fever, which may be caused by multiple factors: 1. Infectious factors: Patients with cirrhosis have compromised immune function and are susceptible to infections caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc., such as upper respiratory tract infections, pulmonary infections, urinary tract infections, and biliary tract infections, all of which can cause fever. 2. Tumor-related factors: If cirrhosis progresses severely or is not actively treated, it may develop into hepatocellular carcinoma. Tumor necrosis factors produced by liver cancer cells can cause absorptive fever, leading to elevated body temperature. 3. Drug-related factors: Certain medications used during treatment, such as antibiotics or routinely administered therapeutic drugs, may cause drug-induced fever. 4. Endotoxemia: Patients with cirrhosis exhibit impaired function of the hepatic mononuclear phagocyte system, resulting in reduced clearance of endotoxins. Endotoxins activate monocytes and macrophages to release inflammatory cytokines, which participate in thermoregulation and cause fever. 5. Other factors: Fever may also be caused by conditions such as gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatorenal syndrome, and hepatopulmonary syndrome.