The claim
「Fever itself damages the brain」
Verdict
MythFever from common infections doesn’t injure the brain — encephalitis or meningitis themselves do. The goal of fever treatment is comfort, not brain protection.
Sources
AAP · American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2025/09/23). Fever without fear: Information for parents. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/fever/Pages/Fever-Without-Fear.aspx
Direct source · Academic institution / professional society · checked 2026-10-13
AAP · American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2008). Febrile seizures: Clinical practice guideline for the long-term management of the child with simple febrile seizures. Pediatrics, 121(6), 1281–1286. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2008-0939
Direct source · Peer-reviewed paper · checked 2026-08-02