How does paracetamol interfere with immune system?

Question

Paracetamol is used to reduce body temperature when it is to high. The high body temperature (fever) is known to be an indication that immune system fights against an infection.In this context I have two related questions: 1. Is high body temperature one of the mechanisms of immune system to suppress an infection or it is just a side effect? 2. If it is just a side effect, does paracetamol remove it by decreasing the intensity with which immune system fights with an infection or not?

Answer 1

1) In many cases, when your immune system kills an invective agent, a type of chemical called a pyrogen is release by them as they die. These cause your temperature to spike, the hard your system works the higher it goes. To some degree, you are adapted to this - it is both a warning you are sick and, as any temperature

increase, speeds up chemical reaction so the immune system can work a little faster. But too high a fever can harm, even kill.

2) It is not believed that it suppresses immune function. But the precise mechanism of how it reduces a fever is still unknown.