While most childhood fevers are benign and short-lived, a groundbreaking study in The Lancet suggests that recurrent or prolonged high fevers before age 5 may increase the risk of autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis (MS) later in life.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden analyzed health records of over 1 million individuals, tracking fever episodes in early childhood and subsequent autoimmune diagnoses. They found that children who experienced more than six high fevers (≥39°C) before age 5 had a 40% higher risk of developing autoimmune disorders as adults. The association was strongest for children with genetic predispositions to autoimmunity.
The proposed mechanism involves “trained immunity,” where repeated febrile episodes prime the immune system to overreact to future triggers. Animal studies showed that frequent fever-inducing infections in early life led to hyperactive T-cells and autoantibody production.
This discovery could lead to new screening protocols for at-risk children, including genetic testing and immune-modulating therapies. Some researchers are exploring whether controlled fever suppression (with careful monitoring) in predisposed children could reduce long-term risks.
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