[Fever--friend or foe?].

Since the turn of the century intensive research has been carried out to ascertain whether fever is associated with the organism's defence against microbial agents, and evidence is now available concerning the beneficial impact of fever under certain circumstances. However, fever also often gives rise to risks and inimical sequelae. Antipyretics should be used in the correct manner, and when the fever constitutes a hazard to the patient or causes suffering.