• Question: Does the sweating system help to kill or expell pathogens?

    Asked by Pol Gaba to Carmen, Laura, Noel, Steph on 18 Mar 2015.
    • Photo: Laura Garcia Ibanez

      Laura Garcia Ibanez answered on 18 Mar 2015:

      Sweating helps our body to expell toxins, but not to kill pathogens. Cheers Pol Gaba!

    • Photo: Carmen Denman

      Carmen Denman answered on 20 Mar 2015:

      Hi Pol! Interesting question. Like the others have said, sweating is one of the ways for our bodies to get rid of toxic buildup and also way to expel excess salts (ever wondered why sweat is salty?). Obviously our body needs to stay. Hydrate so when we sweat we then need to replace that fluid by drinking water.

      I will say that having a fever, which can result in sweats and chills, is related to our bodies killing pathogens. The elevated temperature can deactivate bacterial proteins or retard growth.

      Cheers!

      Carmen

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