Fever, chills, body aches, headache, fatigue and cough

Chills can occur as the body adjusts its temperature during a fever. Body aches and fatigue may follow the immune response, while a cough suggests irritation or inflammation in the airways. Influenza and COVID-19 commonly present with combinations of these symptoms; other infections, including dengue fever, malaria, or brucellosis, may need consideration from the travel history and examination. Fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, or Long COVID can cause fatigue or aches, but they do not explain every new fever and cough.

Rest, drink fluids regularly, and monitor how easily you breathe and whether you are passing urine. Stay home from close contact while acutely unwell, improve ventilation, and consider a suitable respiratory infection test if advised locally. Use fever medicine only as directed on its label or by a clinician, and check before combining products that may contain the same ingredient. Tell a clinician about pregnancy, chronic illness, immune suppression, recent travel, and the time symptoms began.

Seek urgent help for breathlessness, chest pain, blue or grey lips, confusion, collapse, severe dehydration, or unusual drowsiness. Arrange prompt assessment for a severe headache with stiff neck, a new rash, persistent vomiting, bleeding, marked abdominal pain, or fever after travel to a malaria-risk area. Worsening symptoms or inability to manage fluids at home also warrant medical advice.

Ask whether you need testing, how long to isolate from vulnerable people, which medicine is suitable for you, and what change would require reassessment.