Why does taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen reduce fever in a patient with a viral infection?

💡 Explanation

NSAIDs reduce fever because they inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which are crucial for prostaglandin synthesis; therefore, the hypothalamic set point returns to normal, rather than NSAIDs affecting viral replication directly or causing vasodilation unrelated to prostaglandin activity.

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