Does sepsis cause chills?

Chills is a common presentation of Sepsis, especially when the body is responding to a serious infection. Chills may involve shivering, teeth chattering, or a sudden feeling of cold, with or without a measured fever.

During an infection, the immune response can alter the body's temperature control. Muscles may contract quickly to produce heat, causing shaking or rigors. A person can feel chilled even when their temperature is raised, and symptoms may come in waves. Sepsis is a serious reaction to infection that can affect how organs work. Chills alone cannot identify the cause, because they can also occur with less serious infections, exposure to cold, or other conditions.

Pay attention to the wider pattern: a new infection, fever or unusually low temperature, marked weakness, confusion, fast breathing, or reduced urine can be more concerning than chills by themselves.

If chills start during an illness, check your temperature if you can and note when the shaking began. Consider whether there is a possible source of infection, such as a chest, urine, skin, or abdominal problem. Drink fluids if you are able, rest, and follow any treatment instructions already given by a clinician. Do not delay assessment because the chills settle; sepsis can worsen or fluctuate.

If you feel significantly unwell or symptoms are progressing, contact urgent medical services for advice now and explain the chills, possible infection, and any changes in breathing, alertness, or urine output.

Seek emergency help immediately for chills with confusion, fainting, severe breathlessness, blue or grey skin, cold or clammy skin, a rapidly worsening condition, or difficulty staying awake. Urgent assessment is also needed when chills accompany a suspected infection and you are unusually weak, breathing faster than normal, producing very little urine, or unable to keep fluids down. Tell the clinician about recent surgery, wounds, pregnancy, immune problems, or other medical conditions, as these details can affect the assessment.

You could ask: What might be causing the chills? Is there a likely source of infection? Which changes should prompt emergency help? Do I need tests or monitoring? How should I manage fluids and fever while waiting for care?