What should you know about chills and fever?

Shivering may occur while your internal temperature is rising, even if the room feels warm. Common infectious causes include influenza, a urinary tract infection, pneumonia, or a kidney infection. In regions where mosquito-borne illness occurs, dengue fever or malaria may also be considered, especially after travel or a mosquito exposure. A fever alone does not identify the cause.

Note when the symptoms began, whether the fever comes and goes, and whether you have cough, breathing symptoms, burning urine, back pain, rash, vomiting, or recent travel. These details help a clinician assess the pattern.

Rest, drink fluids regularly, and wear light layers that can be removed as the chills settle. Check your temperature with a reliable thermometer and record the reading and time. Avoid strenuous activity and alcohol while you feel unwell. Use fever medicine only as directed on its label and check with a pharmacist if you have liver, kidney, stomach, pregnancy, or medicine-related concerns.

Do not start leftover antibiotics. Arrange medical advice if the fever persists, returns after improving, or you cannot keep fluids down.

Seek urgent help for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, trouble breathing, blue or grey lips, a seizure, a stiff neck, or a rapidly spreading rash. Prompt assessment is also needed for severe abdominal or back pain, very little urine, repeated vomiting, or a fever after recent travel to a malaria-risk area. A clinician should assess infants, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with reduced immunity sooner when chills and fever appear.

Ask: What causes fit my symptoms and exposure history? Do I need urine, blood, or chest tests? Which fever medicine is suitable for me? What changes should make me seek urgent care?