Fever, chills and body aches

Chills are muscle contractions that generate heat when the body’s temperature set point changes. Immune activity can also make muscles and joints feel sore. Influenza and COVID-19 may present this way, while travel or mosquito exposure raises different concerns such as Malaria or Dengue Fever. Ongoing aches without fever can have another explanation, including Fibromyalgia or Hypothyroidism.

Take your temperature during a chill and again after it passes, because the readings can differ. Rest, drink often, and use light layers that can be removed when the sweating starts. Follow the label for any fever or pain medicine and check with a pharmacist if you take regular medicines, have liver or kidney disease, or are pregnant. Avoid strenuous activity until strength returns.

Seek emergency care for breathing difficulty, chest pain, confusion, fainting, a seizure, severe weakness, or inability to keep fluids down. Contact a clinician promptly for recurring shaking chills, a severe headache with neck stiffness, a new rash, yellowing of the eyes, or worsening symptoms. Mention recent travel, animal exposure, mosquito bites, or contact with someone diagnosed with an infection.

Ask whether testing is appropriate, which symptoms would change the urgency, how to manage medicines safely, and whether travel or medication history changes the likely causes.