Cold chills and diarrhea: what they can mean

Chills are a body response that can happen as temperature changes during an infection. Diarrhea can remove water and salts, which may leave you weak, light-headed, thirsty, or shaky. Gastrointestinal infections are common explanations, but fever with chills can also accompany illnesses such as influenza or dengue fever. A urinary or kidney infection may cause chills without being the source of the diarrhea. Travel, untreated water, new medicines, and food exposure are useful details for a clinician. Read more about [Chills](/symptoms/chills/) and [Dengue Fever](/conditions/dengue-fever/).

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. If nausea is present, tiny sips spaced closely may be easier than a full glass. Choose simple foods when appetite returns and avoid alcohol, greasy meals, and drinks that worsen diarrhea. Rest, wash hands carefully, and avoid preparing food for others while symptoms continue. Record how often stools occur, whether there is blood, your temperature, recent travel, and any medicines. Do not start antibiotics or anti-diarrhea medicine without advice, especially with fever or blood in the stool.

Seek urgent help for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, trouble breathing, very little urine, inability to keep fluids down, severe abdominal pain, or blood or black stool. Chills with a rapidly worsening illness can be a sign of sepsis and need immediate assessment. Arrange prompt medical advice if fever persists, diarrhea is frequent, symptoms follow travel, or you have a condition that increases dehydration risk. Kidney pain, painful urination, cough, or a stiff neck also changes the level of concern. See [Sepsis](/conditions/sepsis/) and [Kidney Infection](/conditions/kidney-infection/) for related warning patterns.

Could this be an infection outside the bowel? Do I need tests for dehydration, stool infection, or urine infection? Which fluids and medicines are suitable for me? What symptoms should make me return urgently?