What are the main causes of chills and fever. How can you differentiate between chills and goosebumps. What are the best home remedies for managing fever in adults and children. When should you seek medical attention for chills and fever.

Understanding Chills: More Than Just Feeling Cold

Chills are a common physiological response that many people experience, but what exactly are they? Chills refer to the sensation of feeling cold, often accompanied by shivering, paleness, and an overall feeling of coldness. This reaction can occur after exposure to a cold environment, but it’s also frequently associated with the onset of fever or other medical conditions.

The body’s mechanism for producing chills is quite fascinating. When you experience chills, your muscles rapidly contract and relax, creating the characteristic shivering motion. This process is the body’s way of generating heat when it perceives itself as being cold, even if the external environment isn’t actually cold.

Chills vs. Goosebumps: Understanding the Difference

It’s important to distinguish between chills and goosebumps, as they are often confused. While both involve a physical reaction to stimuli, they are distinct phenomena:

• Chills: Involve shivering and a feeling of coldness, often associated with fever or illness.
• Goosebumps: Occur due to cold air or strong emotions like shock or fear. They cause hair on the body to stand up, forming a layer of insulation.

Can you have chills without goosebumps? Yes, it’s entirely possible to experience chills without developing goosebumps, and vice versa.

The Relationship Between Chills and Fever

Chills and fever often go hand in hand, but why is this the case? Fever is a crucial part of the body’s defense mechanism against infection. Most disease-causing bacteria and viruses thrive at the normal human body temperature of 98.6°F (37°C). By raising the body temperature, even by just a few degrees, the immune system creates a less hospitable environment for these pathogens.

When a fever begins to develop, the body may initially feel cold, triggering the shivering response we know as chills. This shivering helps to rapidly increase body temperature, kickstarting the fever process. As such, chills often serve as a predictor of an oncoming fever or an increase in body temperature.

The Immune System’s Role

Beyond making the body less hospitable for pathogens, a fever activates other aspects of the immune system. It stimulates the production of:

• White blood cells
• Antibodies
• Other infection-fighting agents

This increased immune activity helps the body combat the underlying infection more effectively.

Common Causes of Chills and Fever

While chills and fever are symptoms rather than diseases themselves, they can be indicative of various underlying conditions. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Viral infections (such as influenza, common cold, or COVID-19)
2. Bacterial infections (like strep throat or urinary tract infections)
3. Exposure to cold environments
4. Malaria (where chills are a particularly important symptom)
5. Other infections or inflammatory conditions

Do all infections cause chills and fever? Not necessarily. While many infections do produce these symptoms, some may manifest differently or produce no symptoms at all.

Managing Chills and Fever at Home

For mild fevers (102°F/38.8°C or less) without severe symptoms, home care is often sufficient. Here are some effective strategies for managing chills and fever:

• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Rest: Allow your body to focus its energy on fighting the infection.
• Dress appropriately: Wear light clothing and avoid bundling up in blankets, which can increase body temperature.
• Use lukewarm water: Sponging with water around 70°F (21.1°C) can help reduce fever. Avoid cold water, as it may trigger more chills.
• Take over-the-counter medications: Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin can help reduce fever and alleviate discomfort.

Is it better to sweat out a fever or cool down? Generally, it’s best to let your body regulate its own temperature while keeping yourself comfortable. Trying to “sweat out” a fever by bundling up can actually make you feel worse and potentially increase your temperature.

Special Considerations for Children with Fever and Chills

Children, especially young ones, tend to develop higher fevers than adults. Even minor illnesses can produce high temperatures in young children. When caring for a child with fever and chills, keep these points in mind:

• Avoid aspirin: Do not give aspirin to children under 19 due to the risk of Reye syndrome.
• Use appropriate medications: Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used following package dosage guidelines.
• Dress lightly: Keep the child in light clothing and ensure the room is cool but not uncomfortable.
• Avoid extreme measures: Do not use ice water or alcohol baths to reduce fever, as these can cause shivering and shock.
• Prioritize rest: Do not wake a sleeping child to give medicine or take their temperature.

How often should you check a child’s temperature during a fever? It’s generally not necessary to check constantly. Once every 4-6 hours is usually sufficient unless the child’s condition appears to be worsening.

When to Seek Medical Attention

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

• Fever in infants: For babies 6 months or younger, any fever requires medical evaluation. For infants 6 months to 1 year, consult a healthcare provider unless you’re certain of the cause.
• High fever: In adults, a temperature above 103°F (39.4°C) that doesn’t respond to home treatment.
• Persistent fever: Fever lasting more than three days.
• Severe symptoms: Such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe headache, or confusion.
• Underlying health conditions: People with compromised immune systems or chronic illnesses should seek medical advice for any fever.

Are chills always a sign of a serious condition? Not necessarily. While chills can accompany serious infections, they’re also common with milder illnesses. The key is to monitor your overall symptoms and how you’re feeling.

The Role of Chills in Specific Diseases

While chills are a common symptom in many illnesses, they play a particularly significant role in certain diseases. One notable example is malaria, a mosquito-borne infectious disease. In malaria, chills are not just a side effect but a key diagnostic symptom.

Malaria and Chills

In malaria, patients often experience a characteristic pattern of symptoms known as “paroxysms.” These typically include:

1. A cold stage with intense chills and shivering
2. A hot stage with fever, headaches, and vomiting
3. A sweating stage where the fever breaks

The regularity and intensity of these chills can help healthcare providers distinguish malaria from other febrile illnesses. This highlights the importance of providing a detailed description of your chills to your healthcare provider.

Are there other diseases where chills are a prominent symptom? Yes, severe chills can also be associated with conditions like sepsis (a life-threatening response to infection), certain types of pneumonia, and some tropical diseases.

Prevention and Long-Term Management

While it’s not always possible to prevent chills and fever, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of the infections that often cause these symptoms:

• Practice good hygiene: Regular handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
• Stay up to date on vaccinations: This can protect you from many viral and bacterial infections.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle: A balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep can help boost your immune system.
• Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures: This can help prevent chills caused by environmental factors.
• Seek prompt treatment for infections: Early intervention can often prevent more severe symptoms from developing.

How can you strengthen your immune system to better fight off infections? While there’s no magic bullet for boosting immunity, a combination of healthy lifestyle choices, including a nutrient-rich diet, regular physical activity, stress management, and adequate sleep, can help support your immune function.

The Importance of Monitoring and Recording Symptoms

If you’re prone to recurring chills and fever, keeping a symptom diary can be extremely helpful. This record can aid in identifying patterns or triggers and can provide valuable information to your healthcare provider. Consider noting:

• The timing and duration of chills
• Associated symptoms
• Any potential triggers or exposures
• Your temperature readings
• Any treatments you’ve tried and their effects

This information can be crucial in diagnosing underlying conditions and developing an effective treatment plan.

Understanding the Body’s Thermoregulation

To fully grasp the phenomenon of chills and fever, it’s helpful to understand how the body regulates its temperature. The human body has a remarkable ability to maintain a stable internal temperature, a process known as thermoregulation.

The Hypothalamus: Your Body’s Thermostat

At the center of this process is the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that acts as the body’s thermostat. The hypothalamus receives input from temperature sensors throughout the body and initiates responses to maintain the body’s core temperature within a narrow range, typically around 98.6°F (37°C).

When the hypothalamus detects a threat, such as an infection, it can adjust the body’s temperature setpoint. This is what happens during a fever. The body perceives itself as being colder than this new setpoint, triggering responses like chills to raise the body temperature.

Mechanisms of Heat Production and Loss

The body has several mechanisms for producing and losing heat:

• Vasoconstriction and vasodilation: Narrowing or widening blood vessels to retain or release heat
• Shivering: Rapid muscle contractions that generate heat
• Sweating: Evaporative cooling to lower body temperature
• Behavioral changes: Seeking warmer or cooler environments, changing clothing

Understanding these processes can help explain why certain remedies for chills and fever are effective, and why others might be counterproductive.

How does the body know when to stop raising its temperature during a fever? The hypothalamus continues to monitor the body’s temperature and immune response. Once the threat (like an infection) appears to be under control, it will gradually lower the temperature setpoint back to normal.

The Impact of Chills and Fever on Different Demographics

The experience and management of chills and fever can vary significantly across different age groups and populations. Understanding these differences is crucial for appropriate care and knowing when to seek medical attention.

Infants and Young Children

As mentioned earlier, infants and young children require special consideration when it comes to fever:

• They tend to develop higher fevers than adults
• Their immune systems are still developing, making them more susceptible to infections
• They may not be able to communicate their symptoms effectively
• Rapid temperature changes can be more dangerous for them

For these reasons, fevers in very young children should always be taken seriously and often require medical evaluation.

Elderly Individuals

On the other end of the spectrum, older adults may have a different experience with chills and fever:

• They may not develop fever as readily in response to infection
• Chronic health conditions can complicate the management of fever
• They may be more susceptible to complications from fever
• Certain medications common in older adults can affect temperature regulation

Does age affect how the body responds to fever? Yes, both the very young and the elderly may have less efficient thermoregulation, which can impact how their bodies handle fever and chills.

Individuals with Compromised Immune Systems

People with weakened immune systems, whether due to disease or medication, require special attention when it comes to chills and fever:

• They may be more susceptible to infections
• Their body’s fever response might be altered
• Even a mild fever could indicate a serious infection
• They may need to seek medical attention earlier than others

For these individuals, close monitoring and early intervention are often crucial.

The Psychological Impact of Chills and Fever

While we often focus on the physical aspects of chills and fever, it’s important to recognize their psychological impact as well. Experiencing these symptoms can be distressing and may lead to anxiety, especially if they persist or recur frequently.

Anxiety and Fever Phobia

Some individuals develop a fear of fever, known as fever phobia. This can lead to overtreatment of mild fevers or excessive worry about normal temperature fluctuations. Education about the protective role of fever and guidelines for when to be concerned can help alleviate this anxiety.

Impact on Daily Life

Recurring chills and fever can disrupt daily routines, affect work or school attendance, and impact overall quality of life. For some, this can lead to feelings of frustration or depression. It’s important to address these psychological aspects as part of overall health management.

How can you cope with the psychological stress of frequent illnesses? Developing a support system, practicing stress-reduction techniques, and working with healthcare providers to manage underlying conditions can all be helpful strategies.

Emerging Research and Future Directions

As our understanding of the immune system and thermoregulation continues to evolve, new insights into chills and fever are emerging. Some areas of ongoing research include:

• The role of fever in fighting specific types of infections
• Potential benefits and risks of fever reduction in different scenarios
• Development of more targeted fever management strategies
• Understanding individual variations in fever response
• Exploring the connection between the nervous system and immune response

These areas of research may lead to more personalized and effective approaches to managing chills and fever in the future.

Could future treatments target the mechanisms behind chills and fever more precisely? It’s possible that as we gain a deeper understanding of these processes, we may develop interventions that can modulate the body’s temperature response more effectively, potentially providing better symptom relief while preserving the benefits of the fever response.

The Role of Technology

Advancements in technology are also playing a role in how we monitor and manage chills and fever:

• Wearable devices that can continuously monitor body temperature
• Apps that help track symptoms and provide personalized advice
• Telemedicine platforms that allow for remote consultations about fever symptoms
• Improved diagnostic tools for identifying the underlying causes of fever

Chills Information | Mount Sinai

Rigors; Shivering

Chills refers to feeling cold after being in a cold environment. The word can also refer to an episode of shivering along with paleness and feeling cold.

Fever is an important part of the body’s defense against infection. Most bacteria and viruses that cause infections in humans thrive best at 98.6 degrees F (37 degrees C). Raising the body temperature a few degrees can help the body fight the infection. In addition, a fever activates the body’s immune system to make more white blood cells, antibodies, and other infection-fighting agents.

Considerations

Chills (shivering) may occur at the start of an infection. They are most often associated with a fever. Chills are caused by rapid muscle contraction and relaxation. They are the body’s way of producing heat when it feels cold. Chills often predict the coming of a fever or an increase in the body’s core temperature.

Chills are an important symptom with certain diseases such as malaria.

Chills are common in young children. Children tend to develop higher fevers than adults. Even minor illness can produce high fevers in young children.

Infants tend not to develop obvious chills. However, call your health care provider about any fever in an infant 6 months or younger. Also call for fevers in infants 6 months to 1 year unless you are sure of the cause.

“Goose bumps” are not the same as chills. Goose bumps occur due to cold air. They can also be caused by strong emotions such as shock or fear. With goose bumps, the hair on the body stick up from the skin to form a layer of insulation. When you have chills, you may or may not have goose bumps.

Causes

Causes may include:

• Exposure to a cold environment
• Viral and bacterial infections

Home Care

Fever (which can accompany chills) is the body’s natural response to a variety of conditions, such as infections. If the fever is mild, 102°F (38.8°C) or less, with no side effects, you do not need to see a provider for treatment. You can treat the problem at home by drinking lots of fluids and getting plenty of rest.

Evaporation cools the skin and reduces body temperature. Sponging with lukewarm water, about 70°F (21.1°C), may help reduce a fever. Cold water may increase the fever as it can trigger chills.

Medicines such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen are helpful in fighting a fever and chills.

DO NOT bundle up in blankets if you have a high temperature. DO NOT use fans or air conditioners either. These measures will only make the chills worse and may even cause the fever to rise.

HOME CARE FOR A CHILD

If the child’s temperature is causing the child to be uncomfortable, give pain-relieving tablets or liquid. Non-aspirin pain-relievers such as acetaminophen are recommended. Ibuprofen may also be used. Follow the dosage guidelines on the package label.

Note: DO NOT give aspirin to treat fever in a child younger than 19 years old because of the risk for Reye syndrome.

Other things to help the child feel more comfortable include:

• Dress the child in light clothing, provide liquids, and keep the room cool but not uncomfortable.
• DO NOT use ice water or rubbing alcohol baths to reduce a child’s temperature. These can cause shivering and even shock.
• DO NOT bundle a child with a fever in blankets.
• DO NOT wake a sleeping child to give medicine or take a temperature. Rest is more important.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call the provider if:

• Symptoms such as stiffness of the neck, confusion, irritability, or sluggishness are present.
• Chills are accompanied by a bad cough, shortness of breath, abdominal pain or burning, or frequent urination.
• A child younger than 3 months has a temperature of 101°F (38.3°C) or more.
• A child 3 months to 1 year has a fever that lasts more than 24 hours.
• The fever remains above 103°F (39.4°C) after 1 to 2 hours of home treatment.
• The fever does not improve after 3 days, or has lasted more than 5 days.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

The provider will take your medical history and perform a physical exam.

You may be asked questions such as:

• Is it only a cold feeling? Are you actually shaking?
• What has been the highest body temperature connected with the chills?
• Did the chills happen only once, or are there many separate episodes?
• How long does each attack last (for how many hours)?
• Did chills occur within 4 to 6 hours after exposure to something that you or your child is allergic to?
• Did chills begin suddenly? Do they occur repeatedly? How often (how many days between episodes of chills)?
• What other symptoms are present?

The physical exam will include the skin, eyes, ears, nose, throat, neck, chest, and abdomen. Body temperature will likely be checked.

Tests that may be ordered include:

• Blood (CBC or blood differential) and urine tests (such as urinalysis)
• Blood culture
• Sputum culture
• Urine culture
• X-ray of the chest

Treatment depends on how long the chills and accompanying symptoms (especially fever) have lasted.

American Academy of Pediatrics website. Fever. www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/fever/Pages/default.aspx. Accessed February 6, 2023.

Hall JE, Hall ME. Body temperature regulation and fever. In: Hall JE, Hall ME, eds. Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 74.

Leggett JE. Approach to fever or suspected infection in the normal host. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 264.

Nield LS, Kamat D. Fever. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 201.

Last reviewed on: 2/2/2023

Reviewed by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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 of severe chills in colds and flu, how to treat this condition

Rinza®

>

Colds and flu

>

Severe chills, main causes and treatment

article_cold .png

Severe chills, main causes and treatment

• 0 Author, editor and medical expert

  Klimovich Elina Valerievna

  Editor

  Harutyunyan Mariam Harutyunovna

  Contents:

  • Causes
  • Why does chills appear without fever?
  • How to deal with chills
  • Can chills be prevented?
  • References

  Contents of the article Causes Why does chills appear without fever? What to do with chills Can chills be prevented? References

  Chills in an adult occur due to spasm of the superficial vessels of the skin and are accompanied by trembling, in which individual muscle fibers begin to contract, and a feeling of goosebumps due to contraction of the muscles that raise the hairs on the arms and legs. At the same time, a person feels cold, tries to wrap himself in a blanket or curl up. In this way the body tries to warm up ^4.5 .

  Causes

  Most often, chills occur against the background of fever ³ , which accompanies almost all infectious diseases ⁴ is a universal reaction of the organism ⁴ . When microbes and viruses penetrate it, the body “protects itself” by raising the body temperature ^2.3 .

  Since more heat is generated during muscle contractions ⁶ , it means that the more pronounced the chill, the higher the body temperature ² . Light chilling is characteristic of 38 – 39 ⁰ C, “teeth chattering” and severe trembling – for fever in the range of 39 ⁰ – 40 ⁰ C. Terrific chills, covering the whole body, occur at temperatures above 40 ⁰ C ^3.6 .

  Chilliness and fever may occur in various infectious diseases, such as colds, flu ³ or when a focus of purulent inflammation forms in any organ, for example, in the heart, kidneys, pleura, lungs or veins ⁷ . Symptoms are caused by pyrogens, or substances that can affect the thermoregulatory center in the brain. Pyrogens can be biologically active substances that secrete bacteria, viruses and other pathogens ³ .

  Sometimes it is not infectious agents that act as pyrogens, but substances that are formed in the body itself during tissue damage and decay – inflammation, bruises, hemorrhages ^2.3 .

  Even if you feel cold, trembling in the body, and the thermometer shows a temperature above 37 ⁰ C, the cause may not be inflammation or even an infection, but the following conditions:

  • Nervous strain. With neurocirculatory dystonia (neurosis), chills often begin in the evening or at night. It can be provoked by emotional stress ¹⁶ .
  • Hormonal imbalance. Chilling in women on the background of elevated temperature (37-38 ⁰ C) is a frequent symptom of menopause ^3.7 or premenstrual syndrome ¹⁸ .
  • Blood diseases. Symptoms resembling infectious fever with shivering may be a sign of hemolytic anemia or lymphoma ¹⁴ .
  • Hyperthermia. Overheating of the body occurs after intense physical overstrain, if the ambient temperature is above 26.7 ⁰ C ¹⁴ . Under such conditions, heat transfer is disturbed, and excess heat accumulates in the body ⁵ . Overheating affects athletes participating in competitions in a country with an unusual climate, while not observing the correct drinking regimen, as well as people suffering from obesity ¹⁴ .

  What causes chills without fever?

  Chilling can also occur against the background of normal and even low body temperature ^1,2,14 . During hypothermia – for example, when staying in the cold for a long time or immersing in cold water, ^1.2 – the vessels constrict so that the body does not lose heat. For example, trained swimmers with enough body fat to retain heat typically don’t feel shivering in cold water. But thin people with low levels of physical activity in similar conditions quickly lose blood circulation, develop severe trembling, turning into chills, and body temperature may even drop ¹⁴ .

  Other causes of chills without fever include:

  • hypoglycemia – low blood glucose levels – in patients with diabetes mellitus ⁹ ;
  • hypothyroidism – deficiency of thyroid hormones ¹⁵ ;
  • hypertensive crisis – a sharp and significant rise in blood pressure ⁸ .

  Shaking without fever may occur if there is a long period of time between taking antipyretic drugs. These drugs quickly bring down the temperature, but if they are used incorrectly, a side effect sometimes occurs – muscle contraction, that is, trembling in the body. To avoid such phenomena, consult a specialist, he will tell you how to take antipyretics correctly ¹⁴ .

  What to do in case of chills

  In case of hypothermia, it is enough to warm up – put on warm clothes, drink hot tea or milk ¹ . If the flu or cold against the background of fever (above 38 ⁰ C) and chills, the state of health worsens, the legs and hands become cold, and the skin is “marbled”, it is likely that the body temperature will rise, which means that measures need to be taken ^{2 ,10} . First of all, consult a doctor in a clinic or call a doctor at home.

  To alleviate unpleasant symptoms, when you feel chills, you should:

  1. Wrap yourself in a blanket and keep warm. No need to be afraid that the temperature will start to rise even faster. The body does not lose its ability to resist external heat during fever ² .
  2. Wipe the body with warm water at a temperature of 41 ⁰ C and above. Evaporating from the surface of the skin, the water will remove heat and contribute to its gradual cooling. But remember that you can not wipe the skin with cold water: sudden cooling causes even greater muscle and vascular spasm, increases chills and accelerates the rise in temperature ¹⁰ . Antipyretic drug ¹⁰ should be taken 30 minutes before the rubdown.

  If you wipe down without taking an antipyretic, chills may appear – due to trembling in the body, the temperature will rise again ¹⁷ .

  RINZASIP® with vitamin C

  To combat fever and other symptoms of colds (ARVI) and influenza, paracetamol-based preparations are intended, for example, the combined RINZA® and RINZASIP®, which can be used by adults and adolescents from 15 years of age, and RINZASIP ® for children from 6 years old ^{11 .12} .

  • RINZA® tablets contain paracetamol, phenylephrine, chlorphenamine and caffeine. The drug is ready for action 10 minutes after taking ¹³ , reduces muscle and joint pain, reduces fever ¹¹ . RINZA® also facilitates breathing in case of swelling of the airways, helps to reduce sore throat, itching of the eyes and nose ¹¹ .
  • RINZASIP® drink powders with vitamin C contain, in addition to paracetamol, phenylephrine, pheniramine and caffeine, ascorbic acid. RINZASIP® with vitamin C in orange, lemon or blackcurrant flavor reduces cold symptoms and improves body resistance ¹² .

  Attention! You can take antipyretic drugs for no more than 5 days ^11.12 . If fever, trembling and coldness persist or recur, a specialist should be consulted to find out the cause of this condition ⁴ .

  Can chills be prevented?

  To avoid the occurrence of this symptom, it is necessary first of all to act on its causes – to avoid situations in which it occurs, for example, hypothermia or training in conditions of high air temperature ¹⁴ . It is also important to strengthen the immune system and start treating a cold at its first symptoms. If chilliness is not associated with a cold and occurs periodically ^8,14,16 , you should consult a doctor in a timely manner to prevent a new attack. Indeed, in such cases, chills can be a signal that the body gives in various chronic diseases ² .

  The information in this article is for reference only and does not replace professional medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, contact a qualified specialist.

  Other drugs

  Rinza

  ^®

  tablets

  Convenient to take with you. For those who don’t like hot drinks format.

  Rinzasip

  ^®

  For children

  A modern format designed especially for children.

  Rinzasip

  ^®

  With Vitamin C

  Favorite warming format, ideal before bed

  Chills at fever: causes, treatment, prevention

  Chills is a subjective sensation. With it, the skin becomes covered with goosebumps, there is a feeling of severe freezing, muscle tremors appear, and there is a desire to wrap yourself in a warm blanket.

  Often, against the background of chills, there is an increase in temperature, and as the new figure on the thermometer stabilizes, the chills pass. But what are its causes, why other unpleasant sensations can occur against the background of chills?

  Causes of chills

  Chills or a feeling of coldness and trembling in the body, inability to warm up, “goosebumps” occur due to vasospasm and muscle contraction. The reason lies in the fact that viruses or bacteria, entering the body, release harmful substances (toxins). Under the influence of these substances, white blood cells (leukocytes) begin to secrete special substances – pyrogens, which activate the center in the brain responsible for body temperature. As a result, the patient’s temperature rises.

  The duration of chills depends on the type of infection and the nature of the fever. The faster it rises, the shorter and stronger the chill. As the fever reaches its peak, the chills stop.

  Chills can accompany not only influenza and SARS, but also bacterial infections, such as whooping cough, diphtheria, meningococcal or streptococcal infections.

  Chills often occur against the background of fever, accompanying inflammatory processes of the lung tissue (viral and bacterial pneumonia), lesions of the urinary system (mainly pyelonephritis), purulent-inflammatory processes in the small pelvis (endometritis, adnexitis).

  Chills are possible due to toxicosis, acute surgical pathologies (peritonitis, acute pancreatitis, appendicitis), severe poisoning, including mushrooms, medications, salts of heavy metals, etc.

  Signs of chills

  Chills occur due to a sharp spasm of capillaries – small peripheral vessels that carry blood to the skin and muscles. Chills usually accompanies three key signs:

  • feeling cold, chilly or freezing cold even in a warm room if the person is well dressed;
  • muscle trembling – it occurs as an attempt by the muscles to produce more energy to warm the body;
  • the appearance of the so-called goosebumps or goosebumps – a reflex contraction of the muscles that raise the hairs, due to which pimples appear on the skin – this is also an attempt to warm the body (our ancient ancestors fluffed their hair to reduce heat transfer).

  Associated symptoms of chills

  As a rule, chills do not occur on their own – other symptoms appear along with it. They can additionally indicate a particular diagnosis.

  Weakness

  Cause: SARS, flu, intestinal infections, inflammation, intoxication.

  Weakness, high fever, chills indicate intoxication of the body, because viruses and bacteria release a large amount of toxins into the blood. Weakness also refers to general malaise, “aches” in the body, decreased performance, drowsiness, restlessness, and frequent mood swings. There may be irritability, tearfulness. With SARS, weakness, headache, chills, fever usually appear simultaneously.

  What to do. Provide the patient with complete rest.

  Nausea

  Cause #1: poisoning or intestinal infection.

  Chills with fever, nausea, diarrhea may indicate signs of food poisoning or various intestinal infections. Sometimes the incubation period of intestinal infections can be up to 2 days, during which the patient may complain of weakness, loss of appetite, pallor of the skin.

  What to do. If vomiting and diarrhea have already occurred several times within 1 day, it is important to prevent dehydration. To do this, doctors recommend drinking as much liquid as possible. It will make up for losses and remove harmful substances from the body.

  Reason #2: diseases of the stomach and intestines

  Nausea, vomiting, fever with chills can occur in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, pancreatitis, gastric or duodenal ulcer).

  What to do. Call a doctor or an ambulance.

  Vomiting

  Causes: intoxication, acute surgical pathologies of the abdominal cavity, intestinal infections, poisoning, pathologies of internal organs. Often accompanied by loose stools, nausea, pallor, severe weakness, abdominal pain.

  Chills with fever and vomiting most often occurs in case of food poisoning and intestinal infections (salmonellosis, dysentery, cholera, etc.). Vomiting is possible with appendicitis, pancreatitis, intestinal obstruction.

  What to do. If vomiting is infrequent, drink a tablespoonful of water every 5 to 10 minutes. If vomiting is frequent or indomitable, you need to call an ambulance.

  Diarrhea

  Causes: intoxication, acute surgical pathologies of the abdominal cavity, intestinal infections, poisoning, food intolerance, allergies.

  Chills with diarrhoea, high fever, malaise, weakness – most common with poisoning and intestinal infections. Although other serious pathologies are possible. Often combined with nausea, bouts of vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, weakness, fainting. Dangerous loss of fluid and salts.

  What to do. If loose stools are infrequent, there is no vomiting, you need to drink water every 5 to 10 minutes in a small sip. If diarrhea is frequent or uncontrollable, you need to call an ambulance.

  Headache

  Cause: SARS, influenza, intestinal infections, inflammation, intoxication.

  Chills, fever and headache are the main symptoms of a cold or SARS, flu and many other infections. For a headache with a cold and SARS, the following features are characteristic:

  • the pain covers the whole head, it has a bursting or pressing character;
  • may be mild or moderate;
  • increases when the patient looks at a bright light and may be accompanied by lacrimation;
  • worries constantly and can appear at any time of the day.

  Headache develops simultaneously with intoxication of the body during viral infections (flu or SARS). If the headache is accompanied by a runny nose, the doctor may suspect sinusitis or otitis media.

  What to do. Headache, unlike fever, is not a protective reaction of the body. Therefore, you do not need to endure discomfort and drink painkillers as soon as possible. They can be headache remedies or complex drugs that will ease the symptoms of influenza or SARS. These include paracetamol, Ibuprofen or Nurofen, Theraflu, Coldact, Coldrex, etc.

  Muscle pain

  Causes: influenza, SARS, inflammation, intoxication.

  Often, muscle pain is accompanied by general malaise, fever, chills, drowsiness, weakness. Due to trembling, the muscles contract, get tired, they lack oxygen due to the redistribution of blood in favor of the internal organs.

  What to do. Observe bed rest, give the body a rest, take an antipyretic, sleep.

  Abdominal pain

  Causes: intoxication, acute surgical pathologies of the abdominal cavity, intestinal infections, poisoning, food intolerance, allergies.

  Chills with abdominal pain, high fever, malaise, weakness – most common in poisoning and intestinal infections. Although other serious pathologies are possible. Often combined with nausea, bouts of vomiting, headache, weakness, fainting.

  What to do. If the pain does not go away or gets worse for two hours, you need to call an ambulance.

  Lower back pain

  Causes: inflammation of the kidneys, pancreatitis, myositis, exacerbation of osteochondrosis, sciatica, sciatica.

  The most common back pain with fever and chills is typical of inflammation of the kidneys. Then there will be changes in the urine, nausea, lack of appetite.

  What to do. If the pain does not go away, the temperature does not decrease, the condition worsens, call an ambulance.

  Treatments for chills

  They depend on what caused the chills and how severe they are.

  How to deal with severe chills

  • Drink more. When chills with fever it is very important to drink more liquids, for example, tea, herbal decoction, compote, fruit drink. Fluid removes harmful substances from the body. Decoctions based on berries are very useful: currants, cranberries, viburnum, raspberries. They contain a large amount of vitamins and other useful substances that will help you recover faster. Coffee and alcoholic drinks, sweet carbonated water should not be drunk. They will only weaken an already exhausted body.
  • Ventilate the room. But this must be done during the absence of the patient. Fresh and moderately moist air will make breathing easier.
  • Bed rest. It is necessary to postpone all physical and intellectual affairs and be sure to take sick leave. During rest, the body will direct all its forces to fight infection.

  When and how to bring down the temperature

  What temperature should be brought down, and what should be endured? Doctors recommend taking antipyretics only when the temperature rises above 38 ° C in children and above 38. 5 ° C in adults. High temperature is a protective reaction of the body. It helps fight viruses and bacteria.

  If you cannot do without an antipyretic in your case, it is recommended to take a tablet of paracetamol or another combination drug that contains it (Coldrex, Theraflu, Coldakt, Rinza, etc.).

  If you have done everything you need to do and your temperature still does not go down and you are still not feeling well, you should see your doctor. The doctor will determine the cause of the chills and high temperature and make an accurate diagnosis. Only a specialist can prescribe treatment for severe prolonged chills and high temperature. If the temperature rises to 395 ° C and above, the patient has convulsions and loss of consciousness – urgently call an ambulance.

  Name of the drug	Composition	Mode of application
  Coldrex	for hydrochloride, terpinhydrate, ascorbic acid	Adults 2 tablets no more than 4 times a day, children (6 -12 years) 1 TB no more than 4 times a day
  Theraflu	paracetamol 325 mg, pheniramine maleate 20 mg, phenylephrine hydrochloride 10 mg, ascorbic acid 50 mg	Repeat dose may be taken every 4 hours for a maximum of 3 doses in 24 hours
  Coldact Flu Plus	chlorphenamine maleate 8 mg, paracetamol 200 mg, phenylephrine hydrochloride 25 mg	Adult children and children over 12 years old, 1 capsule every 12 hours for 3-5 days
  Rinza	chlorphenamine maleate 2 mg, phenylephrine hydrochloride 10 mg, caffeine 30 mg, paracetamol 500 mg	Adults and children over 15 years old, 1 tablet 3-4 times a day
  Ibuklin	ibuprofen 400 mg + paracetamol 325 mg	1 tablet 3 times a day

  Why chills may not go away 900 15

  Chills may not disappear with a further increase in temperature, with increased intoxication, ineffectiveness of therapeutic events. In addition, chills reappear if the temperature, after a decrease, begins to rise again.

  Home Prevention of Chills

  Chills with fever can be prevented by protecting yourself from hypothermia, strengthening the immune system, tempering and eating foods rich in vitamins and minerals. It is important to follow the rules of personal and general hygiene, wash hands before eating, monitor the shelf life of products.

  Popular Questions and Answers

  We talked with general practitioner Ekaterina Buchholz about the danger of chills, the reasons for calling a doctor and the possibility of treatment with folk remedies.

  Why is chills dangerous?

  Chills itself is not dangerous, but it indicates certain serious pathologies that need to be identified and eliminated in a timely manner.

  At what temperature do chills appear?

  Chills may occur at any temperature, but are usually typical of conditions in which the fever exceeds 38 – 39°C and rises sharply. But chills are possible without fever.

  What should not be done when you have a chill?

  In case of chills, inhalations, hot compresses or mustard plasters, hot baths will only harm. They will increase the temperature rise, and also contribute to the formation of serious complications of fever.

  Do not wrap yourself too much, cover yourself with several blankets – this creates the effect of a thermos, preventing heat from being released into the environment. Overheating of the body is possible, while the skin may remain cold, as the vessels are spasmodic.

  Do not bring down the temperature with a cold shower, wiping with alcohol or vinegar. This will only exacerbate the rise in temperature.

  How to quickly get rid of chills?

  It is important to drink a lot, do not wrap yourself up, take an antipyretic and go to bed and rest.

  When to call a doctor for chills?

  If the chill does not stop within a few hours and the temperature is very high, a doctor should be called.