What does the body of evidence say on fevers and whether or not we should treat them? Plus: more and more children are getting invasive streptococcal disease, and Chris fulfills two dreams of his: to become Dr. House and to write a book!

Block 1:

(1:47) Fever: what a fever is; the role the hypothalamus plays; why we shiver

Block 2:

(7:36) Fever: why fevers start; whether high fevers mean a worse condition; whether fevers help you fight an infection; febrile seizures; whether you should treat a fever; what a normal body temperature is; where you should stick that thermometre

Block 3:

(22:32) A rise in cases of invasive streptococcal disease in children

Block 4:

(32:21) Chris becomes House, MD. Play along!

 

* Jingle by Jillian Correia of Roctavio Canada

* Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl

* Assistant researcher: Nicholas Koziris

 

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References:

1) XKCD cartoon on killing cancer cells: https://xkcd.com/1217/

2) Meta-analysis on the risks and benefits of fever reduction in adults: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35820685/

3) Prognosis of febrile seizures in children: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18692714/

4) The use of fever medication to prevent recurrent febrile seizures in children:

a) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23702315/

b) https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/142/5/e20181009/38533/Acetaminophen-and-Febrile-Seizure-Recurrences?autologincheck=redirected#

c) https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003031.pub3/full

5) Normal variation in body temperature: https://www.bmj.com/content/359/bmj.j5468

6) Diagnostic accuracy of ear thermometers: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32398036/

7) CBC’s report on streptococcal disease in Waterloo, Ontario: https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6847676

8) The Medscape Emergency Medicine Case Challenge: https://reference.medscape.com/viewarticle/855744

 

It’s Not Twitter, But It’ll Do:

1) Jonathan’s article on the Big Pharma gambit: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/medical-critical-thinking-health-and-nutrition/what-big-pharma-accusation-gets-right-and-wrong-about-drug-industry

2) Conspirituality: How New Age Conspiracy Theories Became a Public Health Threat: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/713402/conspirituality-by-derek-beres-matthew-remski-and-julian-walker/9781039005532

3) Chris’ Gazette article on coronary artery calcium: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-calcium-deposits-in-the-arteries-not-always-a-worry

4) Chris wrote a book called Does Coffee Cause Cancer? Pre-order it now! https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer?_pos=1&_sid=e672b52c1&_ss=r