Fever remains an integral part of acute
infectious diseases management, especially for those without effective
therapeutics, but the widespread myths about "
fevers" and the presence of confusing guidelines from different agencies, which have heightened during the
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and are open to alternate interpretation, could deny whole populations the benefits of
fever. Guidelines suggesting antipyresis for 37.8-39°C
fever are concerning as 39°C boosts the protective heat-shock and immune response (humoral, cell-mediated, and nutritional) whereas ≥40°C initiates/enhances the
antiviral responses and restricts high-temperature adapted pathogens, e.g., severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), strains of
influenza, and
measles. Urgent attention is accordingly needed to address the situation because of the potential public health consequences of the existence of conflicting guidelines in the public domain. We have in this article attempted to restate the benefits of
fever in disease resolution, dispel myths, and underline the need for alignment of national treatment guidelines with that of the WHO, to promote appropriate practices and reduce the morbidity and mortality from
infectious diseases, such as
COVID-19.