Chills: Causes Diagnosis and Treatment

• Chills are sensations of cold accompanied by shivering.
• They can occur with or without fever.
• Without fever, chills often result from exposure to cold environments.
• Any condition causing fever can lead to chills with fever.
• In influenza infection, fever and chills are common symptoms.
• Chills can result from exposure to cold weather, potentially leading to hypothermia.
• Pregnancy-related chills stem from similar causes as chills in general.

Causes of Chills

Many different factors can cause chills. Cold outside temperatures may be the most common, but a temperature that causes one person to shiver can be quite comfortable for someone else.

In addition to cold temperatures, some other causes of chills can include:

• Infections: Body aches and fever accompanying chills may indicate a viral or bacterial infection. Common infections include colds, flu, and urinary tract infections.
• Low blood sugar: Can cause chills, which is especially risky for people with diabetes. Symptoms range from mild chills and tremors to vision problems and seizures.
• Emotional reactions: Strong emotions like joy or grief can trigger chills. It can stem from real-life events or exposure to music or art.
• Malaria: Rare in the United States but prevalent in tropical areas. Chills accompanied by sweating, fever, nausea, and muscle aches should prompt a doctor visit.
• Inflammatory diseases: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can cause chills and fever.
• Medicines: Some drugs can induce chills or fever. Approximately 15% of those with adverse drug reactions experience chills.
• Leukaemia: Symptoms may include chills, fever, abdominal pain, and fatigue.
• Fever definition for adults: Temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher.

Conditions That Cause Chills

• Influenza (Flu): A viral infection that can bring fever and chills in addition to cough, sore throat and fatigue.
• Common Cold: A minor viral infection that can cause chills, sneezing and a runny nose.
• COVID-19:A respiratory disease leading to symptoms including chills, fever, cough and body aches.
• Pneumonia: Lung infection that can cause chills, fever, cough and chest pain.
• Malaria:A mosquito-borne disease that causes periodic fever and chills.
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): An infection in the urinary system that can cause fever and chills, especially if it spreads to the kidneys.
• Sepsis: A severe infection that spreads via the blood, inducing chills, fever and confusion.
• Meningitis: An inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord that commonly causes chills, fever and a stiff neck.
• Mononucleosis: An infection from a virus that can cause fever, chills, sore throat and fatigue.
• Tonsillitis: Because its infected, usually with fever, chills, and sore throat.
• Tuberculosis: A bacterial lung infection with prolonged chills, night sweats and cough.
• Sinusitis: Inflection of the sinus, which can occasionally have low-grade fever and chills.
• Ear Infections: Ear infections can lead to fever, chills, and body discomfort in children and adults.
• Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix, typically characterized by abdominal pain, fever and chills.
• Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis): A severe UTI that can lead to chills, high fever and back pain.

Chills Symptoms

Symptoms that might occur in addition to a fever include:

• shaking or shivering
• feeling very cold
• Feeling warm when going to bed with a fever running, or after taking medication for your fever
• for example, a cough, an earache or muscular pain
• intense exhaustion
• vomiting or diarrhea
• In some cases, other symptoms that occur with fever provide a clue to the cause of fever. A person with a fever and ear pain may have an ear infection.

However, you can't always diagnose yourself. Those with drug reactions Trusted Source that trigger fevers can develop other sick symptoms such as body aches or nasal congestion.

When to Visit a Doctor?

Call your doctor if your fever and chills do not improve after 48 hours of home care or if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Torticollis
• Wheezing
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion
• Slowness
• Irritability
• Abdominal pain
• Painful urination
• Violent vomiting
• Frequent urination or lack of urination
• Unusual sensitivity to bright light

Call a paediatrician if any of the following signs appear in your child:

• Fever in a child under three months.
• Fever in a child aged 3 to 6 months who is lethargic or irritable.
• Fever lasting more than a day in a child aged 6 to 24 months.
• Fever lasting over three days in a child aged 24 months to 17 years with no response to treatment.

Diagnosis of Chills

If a person experiences persistent chills, a doctor can help diagnose the underlying cause. To do so, they can:

Diagnostic Process

• Check vital signs: Blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and temperature.
• Take comprehensive medical history: Including pre-existing conditions, travel, medications, and treatments.
• Inquire about other symptoms: Such as cough, digestive issues, rashes, or other concerns.
• Perform physical exam: Covering key areas like eyes, ears, nose, throat, neck, and abdomen.
• Additional tests: Such as Chest X-ray, blood tests, and urine cultures may be conducted if a specific condition is suspected.

COVID-19 Testing

• COVID-19 diagnosis requires testing.
• CDC prioritizes testing for healthcare workers and severely ill individuals.
• Availability of tests can be checked with local or state health departments.

Treatment of Chills

Chills are a symptom, not a disease, so treatment for chills largely depends on its cause:

• Treat underlying infections with antibiotics (for bacterial) or antivirals (for viral infections).
• Fever-reducing medications like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
• Treatment for chronic conditions such as hypothyroidism or anemia if they are the root cause.
• Medical evaluation to identify serious illnesses causing persistent or unexplained chills.
• Hospitalization may be needed in severe cases (e.g., sepsis, malaria, etc.).

How to Prevent Chills?

• Dress appropriately for the weather to avoid sudden exposure to cold.
• Stay dry, as wet clothes can lower your body temperature quickly.
• Avoid sudden temperature changes, like moving from a hot room to a cold one.
• Maintain a healthy immune system with a balanced diet, exercise, and enough sleep.
• Stay hydrated to support your body's temperature regulation.
• Manage stress, as it can weaken immunity and increase sensitivity to cold.
• Control chronic conditions like anemia, hypothyroidism, or diabetes with regular checkups and medications.
• Avoid alcohol in excess, which can affect your body's ability to regulate heat.
• Wash hands regularly to reduce your risk of catching infections that may cause chills.
• Vaccinate for flu, COVID-19, and other seasonal illnesses to prevent fever-related chills.

Home Remedies for Chills

• Warm fluids: Have warm water, soups, ginger, or cinnamon tea to help heat the body.
• Warm bath or shower: A warm bath is good for regulating body temperature and easing the discomfort.
• Layered Clothing:Soft, warm layers trap the body heat
• Heating pad or hot water bottle:Use on your back, stomach, or feet to warm up cold feeling.
• Drink lots of fluids:Helps reduce fatigue and is essential for a healthy immune system.
• Ginger Tea:This helps stimulate circulation and provides warmth to the body.
• Sleep:Ensure adequate sleep and relaxation to aid in recovery from underlying causes.
• Comfort food:Eating warm and easy-to-digest food can also provide energy and warmth.
• Steer clear of caffeine and alcohol: These affect how the body regulates its temperature, making chills worse.
• Use blankets: Use a blanket to cover up, mainly when resting or sleeping.