What causes fever and chills. How to treat fever and chills at home. When should you seek medical help for fever and chills. What are the differences between mild and high fevers in adults. How does shivering relate to fever and body temperature regulation.

Understanding the Connection Between Fever and Chills

Fever and chills often go hand in hand, but why do we shiver when our body temperature rises? This seemingly counterintuitive reaction is actually a crucial part of our body’s defense mechanism against infections.

The Role of Shivering in Fever

Shivering, despite its association with feeling cold, plays a vital role in raising body temperature during a fever. How does this work? When you shiver, your muscles rapidly contract and relax, generating heat in the process. This involuntary response is triggered by your immune system as it fights off invaders like viruses or bacteria.

Why does the body want to raise its temperature? Infections typically don’t thrive at temperatures higher than our normal 98.6°F (37.0°C). By elevating body temperature, we create an environment less hospitable to pathogens.

The Hypothalamus: Your Body’s Thermostat

At the heart of this process is the hypothalamus, a region in the brain that acts as the body’s thermostat. During an infection, the hypothalamus adjusts the body’s temperature “set point” upwards. In response, your muscles begin to shiver, helping your body reach this new, higher temperature more quickly.

Once your body temperature aligns with the new set point, the shivering usually subsides. This explains why you might experience intense chills at the onset of a fever, but feel less shivery as the fever progresses.

Common Causes of Fever and Chills Beyond Infections

While infections are the most common cause of fever and chills, they’re not the only culprits. Other conditions that can trigger these symptoms include:

• Heat exhaustion
• Certain medications (e.g., some antibiotics or blood pressure-lowering drugs)
• Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or cancer
• Some immunizations, including diphtheria, tetanus, and pneumonia (DTaP) vaccines
• Sudden drops in blood sugar levels
• Post-surgery reactions, often related to anesthesia wearing off

Is it possible to have a fever without experiencing chills? Yes, absolutely. Fever and chills don’t always occur together, and the presence or absence of chills doesn’t necessarily indicate the severity of the underlying condition.

Treating Fever and Chills: When to Act and When to Wait

Not every fever requires treatment. In many cases, rest and proper hydration are sufficient to help your body fight off the underlying cause. However, there are instances when more active intervention is necessary.

General Guidelines for Fever Treatment

For adults and children over 2 years old, medical treatment is typically recommended when the fever exceeds 102°F (38.9°C). For infants and younger children, the guidelines are more nuanced:

• Babies 3-6 months: Treat if fever is above 102°F (38.9°C) and the baby is acting unusually
• Children 6-24 months: Treat if fever stays above 102°F (38.9°C) rectally for more than a day
• Infants under 3 months: Seek immediate medical attention if rectal temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher

Home Remedies and Over-the-Counter Treatments

When treatment is necessary, what options are available? Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can be effective in reducing fever. However, it’s crucial to follow dosage instructions carefully, especially for children. When in doubt, consult a healthcare professional before administering any medication.

For milder fevers accompanied by chills, several home remedies can provide relief:

1. Rest with a light sheet instead of heavy blankets to avoid overheating
2. Wear layers that can be easily removed if you start feeling too warm
3. Adjust room temperature for comfort
4. Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids

Recognizing the Difference: Mild vs. High Fever in Adults

Understanding the severity of a fever can help you decide when to seek medical attention. In adults, fevers are typically categorized as follows:

• Mild or low-grade fever: Temperature between 99.5°F (37.5°C) and 100.9°F (38.3°C)
• High or high-grade fever: Temperature over 103.0°F (39.4°C)

How does the severity of a fever impact treatment decisions? While mild fevers often resolve on their own with rest and hydration, high fevers may require medical intervention, especially if they persist or are accompanied by other concerning symptoms.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention for Fever and Chills

While many cases of fever and chills can be managed at home, certain situations warrant prompt medical attention. Be alert for the following red flags:

• Fever accompanied by stiff neck, confusion, or extreme irritability
• Severe abdominal pain alongside fever
• Shortness of breath or a persistent, bad cough
• Adult fever remaining above 103°F (39.4°C) for more than an hour despite home treatment
• Fever in adults lasting more than 3 days
• Any fever in infants younger than 3 months
• Fever above 102.0°F (38.9°C) lasting more than 24 hours in children between 3 months and 1 year

Why is prompt medical attention crucial in these cases? These symptoms can indicate more serious underlying conditions that require professional evaluation and treatment. Early intervention can prevent complications and ensure appropriate care.

The Impact of Age on Fever Management

Age plays a significant role in how we approach fever management. Why does age matter when it comes to fevers? The immune system and overall health status vary greatly between infants, children, adults, and the elderly, necessitating different approaches to care.

Fever in Infants and Young Children

Infants and young children require special consideration when it comes to fevers. Their immune systems are still developing, making them more vulnerable to infections. Additionally, they may not be able to communicate their symptoms effectively.

What specific guidelines should parents follow for fevers in young children?

• For infants under 3 months: Any rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher requires immediate medical attention
• For babies 3-6 months: Treat fevers above 102°F (38.9°C), especially if accompanied by unusual behavior
• For children 6-24 months: Monitor closely if fever persists above 102°F (38.9°C) for more than a day

Fever in Adults and the Elderly

While adults generally have more robust immune systems, certain factors can complicate fever management in older individuals. How does aging affect fever response?

• Elderly individuals may not develop fevers as readily due to a less responsive immune system
• Chronic health conditions common in older adults can mask or alter fever symptoms
• Medications frequently taken by older adults may interfere with normal temperature regulation

Given these factors, it’s crucial for older adults to consult healthcare providers promptly when experiencing persistent fever or chills, even if the temperature elevation seems mild.

The Role of Hydration in Managing Fever and Chills

Proper hydration is crucial when dealing with fever and chills. Why is staying hydrated so important during a fever?

• Fever increases fluid loss through sweating and increased metabolism
• Adequate hydration supports the immune system’s function
• Proper fluid intake helps regulate body temperature

Best Hydration Practices During Fever

What are the most effective ways to stay hydrated when you have a fever?

1. Drink water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty
2. Consume clear broths or soups to replenish both fluids and electrolytes
3. Sip on herbal teas or diluted fruit juices for variety and added nutrients
4. Use oral rehydration solutions for more severe cases of dehydration

How can you tell if you’re well-hydrated? Look for these signs:

• Clear or light yellow urine
• Moist mouth and lips
• Regular urination (every 3-4 hours)

Understanding the Body’s Temperature Regulation System

To fully grasp the relationship between fever and chills, it’s essential to understand how the body regulates its temperature. How does this complex system work?

The Thermoregulation Process

The body maintains its temperature through a process called thermoregulation. This involves a delicate balance of heat production and heat loss. What are the key components of this system?

• Hypothalamus: Acts as the body’s thermostat, sensing and responding to temperature changes
• Blood vessels: Dilate or constrict to regulate heat distribution
• Sweat glands: Produce sweat to cool the body through evaporation
• Muscles: Generate heat through shivering when the body needs to warm up

How Fever Alters Normal Temperature Regulation

During a fever, this finely tuned system is intentionally disrupted. How does fever change the body’s normal temperature regulation?

1. The hypothalamus raises the body’s temperature set point
2. Blood vessels constrict to retain heat
3. Muscles begin to shiver to generate additional heat
4. Once the new set point is reached, sweating may occur to maintain the elevated temperature

Understanding this process helps explain why we experience chills at the onset of a fever and why we may feel hot and sweaty as the fever progresses.

Causes, Treatment, and When to Seek Help

People typically associate shivering with being cold, so you may wonder why you shiver when you have a fever. Shivering is part of the body’s natural response to an illness. When a person shivers, it helps their body temperature rise, which helps fight off a virus or a bacterial infection.

Still, it’s important to know what to do if you’re feeling hotter than normal, and your body is shaking with chills. Read on to learn more about shivering and fevers.

Shivering helps the body warm itself.

When you shiver, your muscles contract and relax in rapid succession, and all those little movements can create heat. It’s an involuntary response triggered by your immune system reacting to an infection or a cold environment.

An increase in body temperature can help your body fight infections because infections don’t survive as well above your normal temperature of 98.6°F (37.0°C).

The part of your brain that sets your body’s temperature is called the hypothalamus. When the body has an infection, the hypothalamus responds by moving the “set point” for a higher temperature.

The muscles in your body respond by contracting and relaxing faster, which helps your body reach this higher temperature more quickly. Once your body temperature reaches its new set point, your shivering should stop.

Other conditions, such as a sudden drop in your blood sugar levels, can also bring on shivering. You may also experience shivering after surgery as a response to the anesthesia wearing off.

Additionally, certain types of anesthesia can interfere with your body’s usual temperature regulation system. When paired with a cool operating room environment, a decrease in body temperature can lead to shivering.

Can you have a fever without shivering?

You may have a fever without shivering and the chills, too. Conditions that may trigger a fever include:

• heat exhaustion
• medications, such as certain antibiotics or blood pressure-lowering drugs
• some inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or cancer
• certain immunizations, including diphtheria, tetanus, and pneumonia (DTaP)

Not every fever needs treatment.

According to Mayo Clinic, rest and fluids are usually enough to treat a fever in adults and infants over the age of 2, unless the fever reaches above 102°F (38.9°C).

This treatment also applies to babies between 3 and 6 months old, as long as they are not acting out of the ordinary. Treat children ages 6 to 24 months in the same way, unless the fever stays above 102°F (38.9°C) rectally for more than a day.

When rest and fluids aren’t enough, try acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Read the labels carefully, especially when treating a child.

You should also check with a doctor or a pharmacist if you have any questions about dosing or combining medications.

Do not give medications to infants less than 6 months old.

Speak to a doctor immediately if an infant under 3 months old has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

Mild vs. high fever in adults

• Mild or low-grade fever: A temperature between 99.5°F (37. 5°C) and 100.9°F (38.3°C)
• High or high-grade fever: Temperature over 103.0°F (39.4°C)

Was this helpful?

If you have a mild fever with shivering, you don’t necessarily need to see a doctor or take a fever-reducing medication. You might prefer to get comfortable and wait it out. You can try:

• resting with a light sheet, rather than a heavy blanket, which can continue to raise your body temperature
• putting on an extra layer of clothes, like a sweatshirt, that you can remove if you start to overheat
• turning up the temperature in your home
• drinking plenty of fluids

When other serious signs accompany a fever and chills, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. These include:

• a stiff neck
• confusion
• irritability
• sluggishness
• a bad cough
• shortness of breath
• severe abdominal pain

You should also seek medical help if:

• you’re an adult, and you have a temperature that remains above 103°F (39. 4°C) for more than an hour following home treatment
• you’re an adult, and you have a fever that lasts more than 3 days
• a baby younger than 3 months has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher
• a child between the ages of 3 months and 1 year has a fever above 102.0°F (38.9°C) that lasts for more than 24 hours

If you feel your temperature starting to rise into a fever, and you’re shivering, keep in mind that your body is probably responding to an infection.

Rest and fluids are the best ways to help your body recover, but you can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen as well, especially if your temperature rises above 102°F (38.9°C).

Pay close attention to other signs, which may indicate that you need to see a doctor.

If it’s your child who is shivering with what feels like a fever, be sure to get an accurate temperature reading, so you’ll know whether to get your little one to a doctor immediately.

Causes, Treatment, and When to Seek Help

People typically associate shivering with being cold, so you may wonder why you shiver when you have a fever. Shivering is part of the body’s natural response to an illness. When a person shivers, it helps their body temperature rise, which helps fight off a virus or a bacterial infection.

Still, it’s important to know what to do if you’re feeling hotter than normal, and your body is shaking with chills. Read on to learn more about shivering and fevers.

Shivering helps the body warm itself.

When you shiver, your muscles contract and relax in rapid succession, and all those little movements can create heat. It’s an involuntary response triggered by your immune system reacting to an infection or a cold environment.

An increase in body temperature can help your body fight infections because infections don’t survive as well above your normal temperature of 98.6°F (37.0°C).

The part of your brain that sets your body’s temperature is called the hypothalamus. When the body has an infection, the hypothalamus responds by moving the “set point” for a higher temperature.

The muscles in your body respond by contracting and relaxing faster, which helps your body reach this higher temperature more quickly. Once your body temperature reaches its new set point, your shivering should stop.

Other conditions, such as a sudden drop in your blood sugar levels, can also bring on shivering. You may also experience shivering after surgery as a response to the anesthesia wearing off.

Additionally, certain types of anesthesia can interfere with your body’s usual temperature regulation system. When paired with a cool operating room environment, a decrease in body temperature can lead to shivering.

Can you have a fever without shivering?

You may have a fever without shivering and the chills, too. Conditions that may trigger a fever include:

• heat exhaustion
• medications, such as certain antibiotics or blood pressure-lowering drugs
• some inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or cancer
• certain immunizations, including diphtheria, tetanus, and pneumonia (DTaP)

Not every fever needs treatment.

According to Mayo Clinic, rest and fluids are usually enough to treat a fever in adults and infants over the age of 2, unless the fever reaches above 102°F (38. 9°C).

This treatment also applies to babies between 3 and 6 months old, as long as they are not acting out of the ordinary. Treat children ages 6 to 24 months in the same way, unless the fever stays above 102°F (38.9°C) rectally for more than a day.

When rest and fluids aren’t enough, try acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Read the labels carefully, especially when treating a child.

You should also check with a doctor or a pharmacist if you have any questions about dosing or combining medications.

Do not give medications to infants less than 6 months old.

Speak to a doctor immediately if an infant under 3 months old has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

Mild vs. high fever in adults

• Mild or low-grade fever: A temperature between 99.5°F (37.5°C) and 100.9°F (38.3°C)
• High or high-grade fever: Temperature over 103.0°F (39.4°C)

Was this helpful?

If you have a mild fever with shivering, you don’t necessarily need to see a doctor or take a fever-reducing medication. You might prefer to get comfortable and wait it out. You can try:

• resting with a light sheet, rather than a heavy blanket, which can continue to raise your body temperature
• putting on an extra layer of clothes, like a sweatshirt, that you can remove if you start to overheat
• turning up the temperature in your home
• drinking plenty of fluids

When other serious signs accompany a fever and chills, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. These include:

• a stiff neck
• confusion
• irritability
• sluggishness
• a bad cough
• shortness of breath
• severe abdominal pain

You should also seek medical help if:

• you’re an adult, and you have a temperature that remains above 103°F (39.4°C) for more than an hour following home treatment
• you’re an adult, and you have a fever that lasts more than 3 days
• a baby younger than 3 months has a rectal temperature of 100. 4°F (38.0°C) or higher
• a child between the ages of 3 months and 1 year has a fever above 102.0°F (38.9°C) that lasts for more than 24 hours

If you feel your temperature starting to rise into a fever, and you’re shivering, keep in mind that your body is probably responding to an infection.

Rest and fluids are the best ways to help your body recover, but you can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen as well, especially if your temperature rises above 102°F (38.9°C).

Pay close attention to other signs, which may indicate that you need to see a doctor.

If it’s your child who is shivering with what feels like a fever, be sure to get an accurate temperature reading, so you’ll know whether to get your little one to a doctor immediately.

Treatment of fever and chills | Haleon HealthPartner

Treating Fever and Chills

Here we discuss how to treat fever and chills caused by the flu or SARS.

Treatment steps for fever and chills

IDENTIFY

Use appropriate diagnostic questions to confirm that fever and chills are due to influenza or SARS.

INFORM

• Tell the patient how to minimize transmission of influenza or SARS to others
• Counsel the patient about flu- or SARS-related symptoms that may require additional medical attention

RECOMMEND

Along with the necessary advice, recommend or suggest drugs according to the individual needs of the patient.

Patient information

Since the influenza virus causes significant morbidity and even death every year, ¹ Patients should be informed about how to reduce the risk of infection and how to stop the spread of the virus. These measures include: ²

• covering the mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing;
• washing hands regularly and thoroughly;
• habit of not touching the face;
• annual vaccination;

It should also be clarified that only a doctor prescribes medicines for influenza, in case of severe influenza, but drug and non-drug treatment of such unpleasant symptoms as fever and chills is possible. ⁴

Treatment of fever should not only reduce fever but also relieve discomfort

⁵

• Non-pharmacological treatment

  Non-drug ways to relieve fever

  • Drink more to stay hydrated
  • Monitor symptoms continuously
  • Air temperature must be neutral, approximately 25°C
  • Do not dress too warmly or too lightly; wear comfortable clothes
  • Keep calm

• Medical therapy

  Medications to relieve fever

  The main over-the-counter pain and fever medications are paracetamol and NSAIDs (ibuprofen and acetylsalicylic acid). ⁵

  Paracetamol has been shown in clinical studies to relieve fever ^5-8 as a symptom of influenza, it is considered the first line therapy in adults and children. ^5.9

  Ibuprofen is also suitable for use in children older than 3 months, ¹⁰ but may be associated with more adverse events and drug interactions than paracetamol. ¹¹ Preparations containing acetylsalicylic acid are not recommended for the treatment of fever in children (due to the risk of developing Reye’s syndrome). ⁴

Fever and chills requiring referral

Fever and accompanying chills are symptoms of various illnesses, not just the flu.

The patient should be referred to a physician immediately if the pharmacist or caregiver observes the following:

• Paleness; patchy skin lesions; skin, lips or tongue are blue or ashy
• No response to social cues
• Patient has difficulty walking or staying awake
• Decreased activity
• Signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome such as nasal flaring, increased respiratory rate, wheezing in the chest, groaning and moderate or severe chest retraction
• Palpitations
• Reduced skin turgor
• Body temperature above 39°C in children aged 3-6 months or body temperature above 38°C in children <3 months of age
• Fever with rash
• Flu-like symptoms that improve but then recur with fever and worse cough ¹³

Treatment of fever and chills: summary

Once a patient’s fever and chills are determined to be due to influenza or SARS, pain/antipyretic drugs can be recommended to relieve symptoms, with paracetamol being suggested as first-line therapy. ^5.9

Fever and chills – features of the course

High temperature accompanied by chills is often a symptom of influenza or SARS

High body temperature accompanied by chills is a symptom of influenza or SARS ^{1.2 9003 0 and helps identify it disease.}

Features of the course

Bacterial and viral infections, such as influenza or SARS, may be accompanied by symptoms such as fever and chills. ^1.2

An increase in body temperature is part of the body’s defense response to an active infection. ³ The anterior hypothalamus in the brain raises body temperature ⁴ to 38°C or more, producing an effect that we perceive as fever. ⁵

Fever should not be confused with hyperthermia, which occurs when the body generates more heat than it can dissipate. ³ Hyperthermia is most often the result of wearing excess clothing that is inappropriate in hot weather or high humidity, or after strenuous physical activity. ⁴

Chill manifests itself in the form of rapid muscle contraction and relaxation, visually perceived as a shiver. Chills are often observed before the onset of fever. ²

• Questions you can ask your patient

  Ask the patient the following questions: ⁶

  • What are the main and accompanying symptoms?
  • What are the characteristics of these symptoms?
  • What was the treatment for fever and chills?
  • Have you ever had a fever and chills?
  • When did the problem occur?
  • What makes fever/chills worse and what makes them better?
  • Do you have other diseases? Are you taking other medications?

• The patient should be referred to a doctor for medical attention in the following cases

  The patient should be referred to a physician immediately if a pharmacist or caregiver observes the following:

  • Paleness; patchy skin lesions; skin, lips or tongue turned blue or ashy
  • No response to social cues
  • Patient has difficulty walking or staying awake
  • Decreased activity
  • Signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome such as nasal flaring, increased respiratory rate, wheezing in the chest, groaning and moderate or severe chest retraction
  • Palpitations
  • Reduced skin turgor
  • Body temperature above 39°C in children aged 3-6 months or body temperature above 38°C in children <3 months of age ⁷
  • Fever with rash
  • Flu-like symptoms that improve but then recur with fever and worse cough ⁸

Etiology

Learn about the causes of fever and chills.