Why do I feel cold and shiver when I have a fever? Explore the reasons behind fever-induced chills, effective treatment options, and when to seek medical attention.

Fever and Chills: The Connection Explained

When a person has a fever, the body’s temperature regulation mechanism goes into overdrive. The hypothalamus, a small area at the base of the brain, is responsible for maintaining the body’s optimal temperature, typically around 37°C (98.6°F). However, when an infection or illness causes the body’s temperature to rise, the hypothalamus adjusts the “set point” to a higher level, triggering a series of physiological responses to bring the temperature back to the new, higher optimal level.

One of these responses is the onset of chills and shivering. As the body temperature falls below the new, elevated set point, the muscles contract and relax rapidly, causing the characteristic shivering and shaking. This shivering helps to raise the body temperature by generating heat through muscle contractions, ultimately aiming to reach the new optimal temperature set by the hypothalamus.

Causes of Fever-Induced Chills

Fevers can be caused by a wide range of viral and bacterial infections, as well as other medical conditions. Some common causes of fever with chills include:

• Viral infections (e.g., influenza, COVID-19, common cold)
• Bacterial infections (e.g., pneumonia, urinary tract infections, meningitis)
• Certain medications (e.g., antibiotics, cancer treatments)
• Autoimmune disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
• Certain types of cancer (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma)

Treating Fever and Chills

When dealing with a fever and accompanying chills, the primary goal is to manage the symptoms and address the underlying cause. Some common treatment approaches include:

1. Medications: Over-the-counter anti-fever medications such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen can help reduce the fever and alleviate the chills.
2. Fluid intake: Drinking plenty of fluids can help prevent dehydration, which can worsen the symptoms.
3. Maintaining comfort: Avoid activities that cause discomfort, such as ice baths or excessive clothing removal. Instead, dress comfortably and use light blankets or layers to manage the temperature fluctuations.

Seeking Medical Attention

Most fevers, even high ones, are not inherently dangerous as the body can still regulate its temperature. However, there are certain situations where it is crucial to seek medical attention:

• Fever in infants under 3 months old
• Fever accompanied by severe symptoms, such as a stiff neck, confusion, or difficulty breathing
• Fever that does not respond to medication or continues to worsen
• Fever in individuals with weakened immune systems (e.g., cancer patients, HIV/AIDS, organ transplant recipients)

Understanding the Role of Fever

Contrary to popular belief, treating a fever does not necessarily cure the underlying illness. In fact, in many cases, fever is the body’s natural response to fight off an infection or illness. While it is important to manage the discomfort associated with fever and chills, it is generally not recommended to actively suppress a fever unless it becomes dangerously high or the person experiences severe symptoms.

Recognizing Fever-Related Symptoms

In addition to chills and shivering, people with a fever may experience a range of other symptoms, including:

• Feeling very hot or cold
• Rapid heart rate
• Faster breathing
• Changes in metabolism
• Increased immune system activity
• Symptoms of the underlying illness, such as cough, earache, or muscle pain
• Intense fatigue or exhaustion
• Vomiting or diarrhea

These additional symptoms can provide clues about the underlying cause of the fever, but it is not always possible to self-diagnose. If the symptoms persist or worsen, it is important to seek medical advice.

Fever and Immunity: A Delicate Balance

Fever is often a sign that the body’s immune system is actively working to fight off an infection or illness. In many cases, treating a fever may not be necessary, as it is part of the body’s natural defense mechanism. However, for individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with cancer, HIV/AIDS, or those taking immunosuppressant drugs, a fever may be a more serious concern and should be addressed promptly with medical care.

Similarly, in the context of more severe infections, such as COVID-19, suppressing a fever with medication may not be the best course of action, as it could potentially slow the body’s natural immune response and increase the risk of long-term complications. Consulting with a healthcare professional is crucial in determining the appropriate management approach for each individual case.

Chills with fever: Causes, treatment, and more

People who are sick commonly experience chills with a fever. They may feel very cold, shiver, or shake. They might also alternate between feeling very cold and very hot.

Many other symptoms may also occur with a fever, including a more rapid heart rate, faster breathing, changes in metabolism, and increased activity in the immune system. This increased immune activity may help a person fight off an infection.

The body retains the ability to regulate temperature, so most fevers are not dangerous. That said, it is also important to note that some infections leading to a fever can be dangerous. Less commonly, a fever with chills might signal another problem, such as a reaction to a medication or cancer.

There are many viral and bacterial infections that can cause a sudden fever with chills. Keep reading to learn more about why a fever may cause chills, how and when to treat these symptoms, and when to contact a doctor.

When a person has a fever, muscle contractions cause shaking and shivering. The purpose of these muscle contractions is to raise body temperature to help a person fight an infection or another illness.

The hypothalamus sits at the base of the brain. It is the small area responsible for temperature regulation, among other things. It is the part of the brain that establishes a healthy “set point,” or an optimum level, for a person’s temperature, which is around 37ºC (98.6ºF). When body temperature deviates from this, the body tries to return itself to the optimum temperature. It may do this by causing sweating to lower temperature or shivering to raise temperature.

When a person has a fever, the set point increases as the body tries to fight the infection. As long as a person’s body temperature is below this set point, they will feel cold. The feeling of coldness, or of being below the new optimum temperature, leads to shivering. This shivering helps raise body temperature and may also encourage a person to put on more clothing or take other measures to keep warm.

People who wish to treat a fever can try over-the-counter anti-fever medications, such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen.

Never give a child aspirin, as this increases the risk of a rare but life threatening condition called Reye’s syndrome.

Drinking plenty of fluids can help prevent dehydration. There is no need to take ice baths, remove clothing, or do anything else that causes discomfort. If the fever is very high and does not respond to medication, or if a person has other symptoms of severe illness — such as a stiff neck, confusion, or difficulty breathing — contact a doctor or go to the emergency room.

Most fevers, even high fevers, are not dangerous. This is because the body can still regulate its temperature and only has to set the optimum temperature higher than the usual 37ºC (98.6ºF). Treating a fever will not cure the underlying illness, and many doctors argue that treating a fever serves no medical purpose. In fact, there is little scientific evidence supporting the treatment of fevers.

One 2020 paper argues that for minor infections that are likely to go away on their own, treating a fever is probably harmless. However, for more serious infections — such as COVID-19 — treating a fever may suppress the body’s natural immune response, which could slow recovery and increase the risk of long-term complications.

There are some exceptions to this rule, however. People with weak immune systems due to having cancer, having HIV, or taking immunosuppressant drugs should contact a doctor right away for a fever. Also, in newborns younger than 3 months old, a rectal temperature higher than 38ºC (100.4ºF) or an oral temperature above 37.5ºC (99.5ºF) warrants a doctor’s visit.

Some other symptoms a person might experience along with a fever include:

• shaking or shivering
• feeling very cold
• feeling hot when the fever breaks or after taking fever medication
• symptoms of illness, such as a cough, an earache, or muscle pain
• intense exhaustion
• vomiting or diarrhea

Sometimes, the symptoms that accompany a fever offer a clue about its cause. For example, a person who has a fever and an earache may have an ear infection.

It is not always possible to self-diagnose, however. People who have reactions to medications that cause fevers may develop other symptoms of illness, such as muscle pain or a runny nose.

Learn more about the symptoms of a fever here.

It is important to contact a doctor if:

• A person develops any symptoms of a serious illness, such as meningitis. These symptoms may include a stiff neck, confusion, or sensitivity to light.
• Symptoms of a milder illness continue to worsen or do not go away after a few days.
• A newborn under 3 months old has a fever.
• A person with a serious illness or a weak immune system gets a fever.
• A person has chronic, unexplained fevers.
• A person develops a fever after taking a new medication.

Often, the best strategy for preventing fevers is to prevent the infections that cause them. The following tips may help:

• Stay home when sick, and do not send sick children to daycare or school.
• Know that treating a fever does not prevent it from spreading. If a person still has a fever despite taking medications, they may still be contagious.
• Get all recommended vaccines.
• Practice regular hand-washing with soap and warm water, especially before eating, before touching the face, and after touching someone else.
• Try to avoid people who are sick. If doing so is impossible, wear a mask and frequently wash the hands.
• Practice safer sex to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections.
• In crowded areas where COVID-19 rates are high, wear a mask indoors.
• Practice safe food preparation, including using different utensils for different foods, heating food according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and washing the hands before and after touching raw meat.

A fever will often present with chills, as it is the body’s reaction to trying to raise its core temperature to an optimum level when fighting certain infections and viruses.

A fever can be very unpleasant, and it may cause painful symptoms — even when the cause is a relatively minor illness. However, a fever is the body’s normal reaction to an infection or illness, and it is not a reason to panic. Although the infections that cause fevers can be dangerous, fevers themselves are rarely dangerous.

People should aim to focus on self-care and comfort strategies, such as getting warm, resting, and drinking plenty of fluids. Taking a fever medication may ease the symptoms and help a person rest better.

Most fevers will go away on their own. However, if the accompanying symptoms are very severe, get worse, or do not resolve within a few days, contact a doctor.

Relieving the symptoms of fever | Coping physically

A fever can make you feel hot, cold, shivery, washed out and sometimes have aches and pains. 

As well as treating the cause of an infection, you need treatment for your fever symptoms. This helps to make you more comfortable. Bringing your temperature down can make a difference to how you feel.

Drugs to treat fever symptoms

Paracetamol

You might have paracetamol. This can help relieve aches and pains. It is also an anti pyretic. This means it brings down your temperature. 

You usually take them regularly, every 4 to 6 hours, until you no longer have a high temperature. Make sure you read the drug information leaflet so that you know what dose to take and when.

Steroids

You might take steroids, for example, if your fever has been caused by a reaction to treatment.

Aspirin and ibuprofen

Aspirin and ibuprofen can reduce your temperature, but you shouldn’t take them without checking with your doctor. You shouldn’t have it if you have a low platelet count or any other risk of bleeding. For example, a stomach ulcer. This is because they can affect the time it takes your blood to clot.

It is important to remember that you must not take medicines if:

• you are allergic to the medicine or
• your healthcare team has told you not to take them

Feeling more comfortable

Other things that can make you feel more comfortable include:

• removing excess clothing and bed linen
• having a lukewarm (tepid) bath or sponge down
• drinking cool fluids, such as water and sucking ice chips
• opening the window or having a fan in the room
• during periods of chills, change any wet bed linen and clothes to keep you warm and dry, and keep away from drafts
• rest as much as you can

Even if you have a high temperature, you might actually feel cold and begin to shiver. Your immediate reaction may be to huddle up under lots of blankets to feel warm. But even though you feel cold, inside your body is very hot. You will generally start to feel better when your temperature comes down.

• Electronic Medicines Compendium
  Accessed February 2023 

• Ross and Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness (13th edition)    
  A Waugh and A Grant
  Elsevier, 2018

• The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures (10th edition)
  S Lister, J Hofland and H Grafton 
  Wiley Blackwell, 2020

• Chemotherapy-related fever or infection fever?

  N Eroglu and others

  Supportive Care in Cancer,,2021. Volume 29, Pages 1859–1862

• The information on this page is based on literature searches and specialist checking. We used many references and there are too many to list here. If you need additional references for this information please contact [email protected] with details of the particular risk or cause you are interested in. 

Last reviewed: 

07 Feb 2023

Next review due: 

07 Feb 2026

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Why it gives you a fever / What does severe sweating without fever mean / Is it worth visiting a doctor with sweating – March 7, 2022

Stress, problems with the heart and blood vessels can make themselves felt through excessive sweating

Photo: depositphotos.ru

The body is covered with skin that must sweat in certain situations, such as when it is hot. This is a cooling system that prevents overheating. But sometimes we sweat even in the cold or under air conditioning, why? This is what Doctor Peter is about.

If we didn’t know how to sweat, it would be very difficult for us in the warm season or with sudden changes in temperature, says Dr. Piter. Sweat, evaporating from the surface of the skin, allows you to give off excess heat, preventing overheating. In addition, with sweat during a fever, part of the salts, metabolic products, is excreted, due to sweating, the body temperature gradually decreases. But if attacks of severe sweating occur quite suddenly and it literally pours in hail, throws you into a fever or instantly breaks through cold sweat, the skin becomes cold and sticky – this is a reason to visit a doctor. These can be signs of stress, excessive fatigue, problems with the heart, blood vessels, and the endocrine system.

Why am I sweating? This question has come up a lot in recent years. A person feels healthy, leads an active lifestyle, but episodes of weakness and sweating come in waves at the most crucial moments. Is it familiar to you?

Elizaveta Melnikova, general practitioner, cardiologist.

Sweat is a natural secretion of our sweat glands and was created to protect the body from overheating. There are different types of glands in our body with you – some are thermoregulators and produce a hypotonic solution, which is sweat, during periods of elevated temperatures or physical exertion, while others secrete this specific secret of the body in moments of stress or fear.

The work of the sweat glands throughout the body is regulated by a part of the brain – the hypothalamus and sympathetic nerve fibers.

When the human body overheats, the thermoregulation center in the hypothalamus gives a signal to the peripheral nerves: it is necessary to increase heat transfer. To achieve this, there is an expansion of blood vessels on the surface of the skin and the process of secretion of a liquid watery secret – sweat is activated. It is this process that causes excessive sweating of a person during ARVI or other pathological conditions accompanied by an increase in body temperature.

In the female body, many processes are determined by the hormonal background, and therefore, when it changes (during menopause, pregnancy), the work of the autonomic nervous system is restructured. This leads to a short-term sensation of heat, hot flashes, increased sweating. During such periods, a woman needs to consult a gynecologist in order to alleviate the symptoms of her condition.

For the same reason, people suffering from other endocrine pathologies – overweight, hyperthyroidism, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus – are prone to excessive sweating.

Observation of an endocrinologist, correction of the hormonal profile and lifestyle changes significantly reduce the manifestations of hyperhidrosis (as pathological sweating is called in medicine) and improve the general condition of a person.

As for the male half of the population, according to statistics, men are more likely to face stressful situations, and their sensitivity to adrenaline is higher than that of women. In this regard, in the male body, in response to stress, tachycardia develops, sweating increases, breathing quickens.

Smokers also tend to sweat more, as nicotine is a direct stimulant of acetylcholine, which irritates sweat gland receptors.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of depression, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, in which sweating is an almost constant attribute, have become more frequent. A panic attack is most often manifested by an autonomic crisis, which may be accompanied by:

• anxiety,
• fear of death,0048
• shortness of breath,
• shortness of breath,
• chills,
• increased sweating,
• pre-syncope,
• frequent urination
• and other manifestations .

This is due to a sharp release of large amounts of adrenaline and dopamine into the blood, which stimulates a sharp increase in heart rate, respiratory rate, and the production of liquid secretions in the sweat glands throughout the body. The correction of these conditions is carried out by a psychotherapist, who helps to choose therapy to reduce the level of emotional stress, anxiety, leading to the development of panic attacks.

Thus, sweating is most often a natural reaction of the body, which is an adaptive function of the body. In most cases, this condition does not require medical correction and manifests itself as a response to an adequate stimulus.

However, in a situation where you constantly and profusely sweat almost everywhere, you should consult a doctor for diagnosis and possible detection of diseases that require drug therapy.

Alena Paretskaya

SweatingHeat

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Read all comments . What’s the matter? Firstly, a person can wake up 4-6 times at night, as our ancestors did, to make sure there is no danger. Secondly, after that you should fall asleep normally. If this does not happen, here are the possible reasons that you need to deal with.

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1.

Want to go to the toilet

Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Drinking a lot of liquid before going to bed is not surprising. But when you are drawn to the toilet for no apparent reason, the balance of water and electrolytes in the body may be disturbed. Lots of water and little salt? We’ll have to remove the excess liquid!

Solution: Half an hour before bedtime, drink a glass of water with a pinch of salt.

2. It’s all heat

Overheating, stuffiness in the bedroom, high temperature in the apartment as a whole – all this can interfere with normal sleep. Air temperature, clothing or lack of it, the material of sheets and blankets – everything matters.

Solution: the ideal temperature is 18-21 degrees. You can take a warm bath before going to bed so that the skin cools down a little in bed and the brain receives the command “Sleep!”.

3. You are depressed

Even mild depression can interfere with sleep. Negative thoughts, anxiety, lack of energy do not allow you to fall asleep normally.

Solution: It is important to discuss these symptoms with your doctor. They can also be an indicator of the onset of menopause or some kind of hormonal disruption.

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4. You are very fond of social networks

If you scroll through other people’s posts right in bed, this also affects sleep. Thus, you prevent the body from producing melatonin.

Solution: dim the light in the room and do not turn on gadgets an hour before bedtime. And keep them away from your face.

5. You’re getting older

The body clock starts to slip around age 40, and many sleep less because of it. At 60 you can get up two hours earlier than at 30.

Solution: adjust to your new sleep schedule. Try to go to bed early, because often we just don’t notice sleepiness, we stay up late, and then it’s hard to fall asleep anyway.

6. You drink alcohol before going to bed

It has a sedative effect, so you fall asleep quickly, but you may not get into a deep sleep phase and wake up.

Solution: try to finish drinking a couple of hours before bedtime so that your body has time to digest it.

7. Breathing problems

If you have a stuffy nose (allergies or SARS), you don’t sleep very well at night. But there are other factors that constantly interfere: polyps in the nose, tonsillitis, too big tongue. A small study showed that about 90% of people who wake up at night suffer from breathing problems.

Solution: try to sleep on your side, not on your back.

8. Apnea

Short-term breath holdings during sleep interfere with sleep not only for overweight men, but also for women with normal weight, especially during menopause.