GERD, fever and chills: what they may mean

Gastroesophageal reflux disease happens when stomach contents move back into the oesophagus. It may cause a burning feeling behind the breastbone, a sour taste, burping, or symptoms that worsen after meals or when lying down. It does not normally raise body temperature or cause shaking chills.

Fever with chills can occur when the immune system is responding to an infection. Depending on other symptoms, possibilities include influenza, pneumonia, a urinary tract or kidney infection, or an illness acquired during travel such as malaria or dengue fever. These symptoms do not identify one diagnosis by themselves. A clinician may need to check your temperature, breathing, hydration, urine, and other findings.

Check your temperature if you can and note when the fever, chills, reflux symptoms, cough, pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, or urinary changes began. Drink fluids in small, regular amounts if you can keep them down, rest, and avoid alcohol. Do not assume that treating heartburn will treat the cause of fever or chills.

Arrange medical advice promptly if fever or chills continue, recur, or occur with a cough, shortness of breath, flank pain, burning urination, severe weakness, or recent travel to a malaria-risk area. Bring a list of medicines and tell the clinician about pregnancy, immune problems, and recent travel.

Seek emergency help for trouble breathing, chest pressure that does not feel like your usual reflux, confusion, fainting, blue or grey lips, a seizure, severe dehydration, or rapidly worsening illness. Fever and chills with fast breathing, clammy skin, extreme drowsiness, or very little urine can be warning signs of a serious infection such as sepsis.

Do not wait for reflux treatment to work when these warning signs are present. If you are unsure whether chest discomfort is heartburn or a heart or lung problem, treat it as urgent and seek immediate assessment.

Ask: Could the fever and chills be separate from my GERD? Which symptoms mean I need testing today? Should I continue my reflux medicine while this is assessed? Could my travel, medicines, or other health conditions change the likely causes?