Monday, August 10, 2026
Science

When fever isn't the answer: Infected tadpoles cool themselves to fight viruses

Fever is one of the best-known mechanisms by which animals combat infectious diseases. Sick animals can increase their body temperature in two ways: through physiological regulation, by altering internal metabolic processes, or through behavioral changes, such as seeking warmer environments. Ectothe...

When fever isn't the answer: Infected tadpoles cool themselves to fight viruses
Image: Phys.org
Fever is one of the best-known mechanisms by which animals combat infectious diseases. Sick animals can increase their body temperature in two ways: through physiological regulation, by altering internal metabolic processes, or through behavioral changes, such as seeking warmer environments. Ectothermic animals, including amphibians, fish and reptiles, generally rely only on the latter strategy. However, fever is not always the most effective response against every pathogen.

Originally published at Phys.org

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