What are chills?

A feeling of being cold, but not necessarily in a cold environment, is often accompanied by chills or tremors. The chills or tremors may have causes other than an underlying disease. Examples include exposure to cold, fear, or nervousness.

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.

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What are the 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, 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.
- 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.

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

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

Home Treatment for Chills:

Mild infection: Rest, fluids, and OTC pain relievers for relief.
Layer up and stay warm if chills are bothersome.
Diabetes management: Discuss risks of low blood sugar with healthcare provider and plan for management.
Underlying medical conditions: Chills should improve with treatment for the underlying condition.

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:

When to Consult a Pediatrician:

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.

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Tips for Managing Chills

Home care for adults:

If you have chills with a fever, treatment depends on whether chills are gone. Mild fever (38.6°C or less) and no serious symptoms do not require a doctor. Rest and hydrate with water or juices. Use a light blanket and avoid heavy ones. Sponge with warm water or take a cold shower to reduce fever, but be cautious as cold water may trigger chills.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can reduce fever and fight chills, such as:

aspirin (Bayer)
acetaminophen (Tylenol)
ibuprofen (Advil)

Follow medication directions carefully. Aspirin and ibuprofen reduce fever and inflammation, while acetaminophen only reduces fever. Take acetaminophen as directed to avoid liver damage. Long-term ibuprofen use can harm the stomach and kidneys.

Home care for children

Treatment depends on child's age, temperature, and accompanying symptoms.
If fever is between 100ºF and 102ºF and child feels uncomfortable, give acetaminophen following package instructions.
Dress child in light clothing and keep hydrated with water or fluids.
Never wrap child in thick blankets.
Avoid giving aspirin to children under 18 due to risk of Reye's syndrome.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long do chills last?

If you have a viral infection, you will usually notice other symptoms along with chills, such as a sore throat, cough, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. Most of the time, it can be self-limiting and will resolve in 2 weeks. It is important to get enough rest and increase your fluid intake.

What are body chills a sign of?

You get chills when the muscles in your body contract and relax to try to generate heat. Sometimes this happens because you are cold, but it can also be an attempt by your immune system, the body's defense against germs, to fight infection or illness.

Why do I have chills but no fever?

Body chills are commonly caused by cold outside temperatures or changing internal temperatures, such as when you have a fever. When you have chills without a fever, causes may involve low blood sugar, anxiety or fear, or heavy physical exercise.

When should I be concerned about chills?

Chills can be a sign of a serious or life-threatening infection or hypothermia. Seek immediate medical attention or speak to a medical professional about your symptoms if they persist for more than two days or if they concern you. Fever in babies and very young children can quickly become severe.

Are chills a sign of anxiety?

Anxiety can also cause hot flashes and chills. Panic attacks can cause you to experience chills and hot flashes, similar to what you might experience if you have a fever. But it's not just when you're in the middle of a panic attack.

What's the difference between chills and being cold?

Chills involve shivering due to fever or illness, while feeling cold is simply sensing low temperature. Chills often accompany fever, while being cold doesn't necessarily involve illness.

How to get rid of chills?

To relieve chills, wrap yourself warmly, drink hot fluids, take a warm bath, use over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, rest, and stay hydrated. If symptoms persist, seek medical advice.