Chills, Fever and Rash: What to Know

A rash may be flat, raised, itchy, painful, blistered, or made of small spots. Dengue fever and malaria can cause fever and chills, while influenza may occur with a skin eruption in some people. A new medicine can also cause a rash, and pneumonia or a urinary infection may cause fever without explaining every skin change. The rash’s appearance, speed of spread, and accompanying symptoms are more useful than its presence alone.

Take a clear photograph and note when it appeared, where it started, whether it fades when pressed, and any new medicine, food, soap, or insect exposure. Do not scratch open areas, and avoid sharing towels if an infectious rash is possible.

Rest, drink fluids, and use loose clothing. Check your temperature and avoid taking a new medicine for the rash unless advised. If a prescription medicine preceded the rash, contact the prescriber promptly before changing treatment. Keep away from pregnant people, infants, and anyone medically vulnerable until a clinician has advised whether the illness may spread.

Call emergency services for difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, fainting, confusion, a seizure, severe weakness, or a rash with blistering or peeling. Urgent assessment is also needed for purple or bruise-like spots, a rash that does not fade when pressed, severe headache, stiff neck, or rapidly worsening fever and chills. These signs can occur with a severe allergic reaction or sepsis.

Ask what the rash resembles, whether you need tests, whether you should stop or continue any medicine, and how to reduce transmission if an infection is suspected. Mention travel, insect bites, vaccination, allergies, pregnancy possibility, and all recent products or medicines.