Fever, chills and cough

Cough points toward irritation in the airways, while chills can accompany a rising temperature. Influenza and COVID-19 can affect the respiratory tract; pneumonia may cause cough, fever, chest discomfort, or breathlessness. Kidney infection and urinary tract infection can produce fever or chills even when cough is also present for another reason. Dengue fever and malaria deserve attention after relevant travel or mosquito exposure. Sepsis is a medical emergency caused by a severe response to infection, not a diagnosis that can be made from chills alone.

Rest, drink fluids, monitor breathing, and record when symptoms change. Avoid smoking and close contact while feverish. A clinician may listen to your chest, check oxygen level and hydration, examine for another infection source, and decide whether tests are needed. Follow medicine directions carefully, especially if you have kidney disease, liver disease, pregnancy, or take regular medicines.

Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, blue lips, new confusion, collapse, or extreme drowsiness. Get prompt assessment for coughing blood, severe weakness, persistent vomiting, a rapidly worsening fever, or very little urine. Fever with flank pain or painful urination also merits timely review because a urinary infection can involve the kidneys.

Ask whether your lungs or urinary system need testing, which fluids and medicines are suitable, how to reduce transmission, and what symptoms mean you should return urgently.