Randolph Nesse's argument that symptoms of illness serve as evolutionary defenses

¶ … Sickness Can be Good for You," raises the question of whether treating the symptoms of common illnesses with medication is good for the body. He argues that many diseases are actually defenses that have been developed over time to prevent susceptibility to worse malady; that coughing and vomiting are simply the impact of Darwinism. Nesse points out that coughing clears bacteria from lungs, those with Shigella infections are more likely to suffer longer if medicine for diarrhea is taken, that rats and rabbits deprived of a fever response will likely die from an infection, and that the chance of birth defects are higher with a mother who had less morning sickness.

Based on the information presented in web investigation 3, it may not be beneficial to our survival to always treat the symptom. Sometimes the miserable conditions suffered turn out to be beneficial in the long run. If a child ingests a harmful chemical, or an adult suffers food poisoning, the vomiting and diarrhea that results is actually ridding the body of bacteria and foreign substances that could result in death. In a case such as that, it would not be wise to take medicine to prevent vomiting. Fevers and sweating often suffered with illnesses are actually burning up and releasing harmful agents from the body. A runny nose helps to clear out excess buildup that can prevent proper respiration. In these ways, diarrhea, fevers, and runny noses aid in our survival by clearing the body of harmful agents, thus allowing our bodies to return to proper function.