Body pain and chills: what they can mean and what to do

Chills are a feeling of cold, shivering, or shaking that may happen with or without a measured fever. Muscle aches can accompany influenza and other viral illnesses. A chest infection may cause pain with cough or breathing, while a kidney infection can cause pain in the side or back along with urinary symptoms. Dengue fever and malaria can also cause fever, chills, and body aches, particularly after relevant travel or mosquito exposure. A urinary tract infection may cause burning or frequent urination, and sepsis is a serious response to infection that needs urgent assessment. The pattern, onset, temperature, travel history, and other symptoms help a clinician assess the cause.

Rest, drink fluids regularly, and keep a record of your temperature and symptom changes. Wear comfortable layers so you can adjust to feeling hot or cold. If you can take it safely, use paracetamol according to the package directions; check with a pharmacist or clinician first if you have liver disease, take other medicines containing paracetamol, or are unsure about the dose. Avoid starting antibiotics without medical advice, because they do not treat viral illnesses and the correct treatment depends on the cause. Arrange a medical appointment if symptoms are worsening, persist, or follow travel to a malaria-risk area.

Seek urgent medical care for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, fainting, severe weakness, a seizure, a stiff neck, a rapidly spreading rash, or inability to keep fluids down. Get prompt assessment for severe or rapidly worsening pain, very little urine, or a markedly unwell appearance. If you have recently travelled to a malaria-risk area and develop fever or chills, seek medical advice urgently and mention where you travelled. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with reduced immunity may need earlier assessment when infection symptoms develop.

Ask what symptoms or examination findings point to the likely cause, whether you need urine or blood tests, how much fluid is appropriate for you, and which pain or fever medicine fits your health conditions and current medicines. Tell the clinician when the chills began, whether you measured a fever, where the pain is located, and any recent travel, insect bites, sick contacts, urinary symptoms, cough, vomiting, or rash.