Fever and chills at night: what they may mean

Fever and chills at night often reflect an immune response, but repeated or severe episodes need medical assessment. Chills are the body's way of generating heat, while fever is a raised temperature set by the brain during inflammation or infection.

Symptoms may become more noticeable at night because you are resting, the room temperature changes, or the effect of a daytime fever medicine has worn off. Viral illnesses such as Influenza can cause fever, shivering, aches and tiredness. A urinary infection or Kidney Infection may add burning urination, frequent urination, side pain or nausea. Cough and breathing discomfort can occur with Pneumonia. Travel or mosquito exposure matters when considering Malaria or Dengue Fever.

Check your temperature with a working thermometer and write down the reading, time, associated symptoms and any medicine taken. Sip fluids regularly, wear light layers, and rest in a comfortably cool room. Avoid heavy bundling during a fever. Use only medicines suitable for you and follow the label; ask a pharmacist if you are pregnant, have liver or kidney disease, or take other medicines.

Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, fainting, a seizure, blue lips, severe weakness, or inability to keep fluids down. Get prompt medical advice for a persistent or returning fever, severe headache, stiff neck, a new rash, severe abdominal or back pain, or reduced urination. Sepsis can worsen quickly, so a combination of fever or chills with confusion, fast breathing, clammy skin or marked deterioration requires emergency care.

Ask what pattern of fever should be evaluated, whether you need urine or other tests, and whether recent travel, insect exposure, medicines or chronic conditions change the assessment.