What should you know about bad chills?

Chills happen when muscles contract rapidly to generate heat. They may occur with Influenza or Pneumonia, often alongside fever, cough, or breathing symptoms. A Urinary Tract Infection or Kidney Infection can present with chills, fever, pain when passing urine, or pain in the side or back. Malaria can present with episodes of chills and fever after travel to an affected area. Dengue Fever may cause fever and marked aches. Sepsis is a serious response to infection and can include chills with confusion, fast breathing, or severe weakness.

Check your temperature, drink fluids if you can, and rest in a comfortable environment. Note when the chills began, how long episodes last, and whether you have cough, urinary symptoms, rash, vomiting, pain, or recent travel. Use fever medicine only if it is safe for you and follow the label or medical advice. Avoid excessive wrapping if you are feverish, and arrange review when chills recur or the cause is unclear.

Get emergency help for confusion, difficulty breathing, collapse, severe drowsiness, blue or mottled skin, a very fast heartbeat, or inability to keep fluids down. Seek prompt assessment for chills with high fever, severe pain, a stiff neck, new rash, pregnancy, immune suppression, or recent travel. Chills with urinary pain or side pain should be assessed because a Kidney Infection may need treatment.

Ask whether your symptoms fit Influenza, Pneumonia, Urinary Tract Infection, Kidney Infection, Dengue Fever, Malaria, or another cause. Share temperature readings, travel and mosquito exposure, medicines, and the timing of each episode. Ask which changes require emergency care.