Chills, Fever and Diarrhoea: What to Know

Fever and chills often occur when the immune system responds to infection, while diarrhoea may come from an intestinal infection or contaminated food and water. Dengue fever, malaria, and sepsis can also begin with fever and chills, while influenza may sometimes include digestive symptoms. A kidney infection or urinary tract infection is more likely to cause urinary or back symptoms than diarrhoea. The symptom group does not identify one diagnosis by itself.

Pay attention to thirst, dry mouth, dizziness, weakness, dark urine, or urinating less often. Note the start of symptoms, stool frequency, vomiting, blood or mucus in stool, travel, unusual food, sick contacts, and measured temperature.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. Continue simple foods as tolerated and wash hands carefully after using the bathroom. Rest, and avoid preparing food for others while diarrhoea continues. Ask a pharmacist or clinician before taking anti-diarrhoeal medicine, particularly if you have fever or blood in stool. Arrange medical advice if symptoms persist, keep returning, or you cannot replace lost fluids.

Get urgent help for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, breathing difficulty, severe abdominal pain, a stiff neck, a widespread rash, blood or black stool, repeated vomiting, or signs of serious dehydration. Seek prompt assessment after recent travel to a malaria area, especially if chills and fever come in episodes. A person who is pregnant, very young, older, or living with a serious long-term condition should seek advice earlier.

Ask whether you need stool, blood, or urine testing; how much fluid to take; which medicines are safe for you; and which changes require emergency care. Share travel history, food or water exposures, recent antibiotics, and your current medicines.