The skin plays an important role in the regulation of body temperature and protecting it from sudden temperature changes. Our body needs to be kept at an optimum operating temperature in order for our cells to perform properly. Temperature affects the rate of chemical reactions inside the body. The average body temperature is 98.6F or 37 degree centigrade. The body temperature is kept constant by physiological adjustments controlled by the hypothalamus which acts as a thermostat. The hypothalamus receives nerve impulses from the heat and cold thermoreceptors in the skin called the peripheral thermoreceptors as well as from central thermoreceptors located in the hypothalamus itself.
Our body uses energy to generate heat through the vital actions of the body. This heat production rises with muscle activity like exercise and shivering. Heat is lost and gained through radiation, conduction and conviction while evaporation contributes only to heat loss which occurs through sweating.
When someone has a fever the body thermostat will be set at a higher level, therefore the person first shivers leading to heat release which will lead to the rise of temperature to the new setting, and when the fever subsides the setting of the thermostat will drop back to normal and the person sweats to dispose the excess heat.