When you are ill a number of conditions in your body change.

Question

When you are ill a number of conditions in your body change.

Explain why these phenomenon happen when you are ill:
1. You develop a fever. (2 mark)
2. Heart rate increases. (2 marks)

Answer 1

1. When you are ill, your body releases chemicals called cytokines which trigger a fever. This is an attempt by the body to fight off the infection by raising the body temperature to a level that is inhospitable to the invading microorganisms.

2. When you are ill, your body needs more oxygen to fight off the infection. To meet this increased demand, your heart rate increases to pump more blood and oxygen to the cells.