Constant chills without fever: possible causes

Chills are an involuntary feeling of cold or shivering. They can occur when the room or body is cold, after exertion, during stress, or with changes in blood sugar or medicines. A thermometer reading can be normal even when an infection is developing, particularly early on or in someone whose immune response is reduced.

Infections such as influenza, a urinary tract infection, kidney infection, pneumonia, malaria, or dengue fever may cause chills with other symptoms. Chills can also accompany serious infection. The symptom alone cannot identify the cause, so look for cough, painful urination, back pain, diarrhoea, rash, headache, or feeling unusually weak.

Move to a comfortable warm environment, use light layers, drink fluids if you can, and check your temperature during an episode and later. Record timing, travel, insect exposure, new medicines, urinary symptoms, cough, pain, and any rash.

Arrange a medical review if chills keep returning, last beyond a short period, disturb sleep, or occur with another symptom. Mention recent travel to a malaria-risk area, pregnancy, older age, or immune problems because these details affect urgency.

Seek urgent help for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, difficult breathing, blue or clammy skin, severe pain, a rapidly spreading rash, or inability to drink. Emergency assessment is needed when chills occur with signs of sepsis, even if the first temperature reading is normal.

Ask what examination or tests may be needed, whether a medicine or metabolic problem could contribute, and which changes in temperature, breathing, urine, skin, or alertness should prompt immediate help.