What is the benefit of fever during infections?

Question

When people get sick, they often develop a fever. What is the effect of an increased body temperature on viruses and bacteria in the body? Is it beneficial to the infected body? Importantly, often fever-reducing agents like aspirin are prescribed when people are sick. Doesn't this counteract any benefits of fever?

Answer 1

Certain cells (ex. immune system) work better in your body when your temperature is slightly elevated. So taking an anti-pyretic drug counters those positive effects. However, a lot people want relief from the discomfort of a fever (or trying to calm a sick, crying child), so that's why they will take aspirin, etc.