Last year I read in “Why We Get Sick: The New Science of Darwinian Medicine” written by Nesse and Williams, that doctors often confuse defenses with diseases. As an example they talk about how our bodies have evolved low iron levels to combat bacterial infection. Supposedly not all doctors know this (or fail to remember it?) and recommend iron supplements to a patient who is trying to combat invading bacteria through lowering his iron levels.

To my surprise I was able to experience this first hand. After our return from Cuba last week I took my son to see a doctor due to high fever and diarrhea. He said it was a virus and decided to test his blood. In the meantime my son developed an ear infection. We took him to a doctor again, who prescribed antibiotics, and seeing his blood results (arriving at the same time) indicating low levels of iron, she recommended iron supplements. When I got home I remembered reading about the low iron and bacterial infection, and decided to take my son to his pediatrician who’s office is inconveniently located on the other side of our city. Good thing I did! Indeed, he said it would have been a mistake to give my son iron supplements while trying to fight a bacterial infection.

I remember somebody once asked in these forums, why a layman needs to know about evolution. So here is one reason why.

George - 11 July 2008 01:34 PM

When I got home I remembered reading about the low iron and bacterial infection, and decided to take my son to his pediatrician who lives inconveniently on the other side of our city. Good thing I did! Indeed, he said it would have been a mistake to give my son iron supplements while trying to fight a bacterial infection.

I remember somebody once asked in these forums, why a layman needs to know about evolution. So here is one.

Yes. And why it’s better to warm up someone with a fever, not cool them down.

Warm them up? I understand the high fever helps to fight infection, but if a fever gets too high it can be dangerous in small children. Perhaps monitor it closely, and let it run its course if it’s within a safe range, but I would be wary of purposefully trying to heat a child up more. Dehydration during high fever can be especially dangerous. Just my opinion as the mother of a small child.

Fever Guidelines

I agree with Jules. Increasing body’s temperature (especially one that has already increased its temperature with fever) doesn’t seem like a good idea to me. Unless you are a lizard…

As I said, don’t cool them down. IME, a sauna at the beginning of a cold leads to a much quicker recovery and far fewer symptoms. Alternatively I throw bath towels in the bed, crank up the heat, and sweat it out.