What should you know about getting chills at night?

Shivering is a way the body generates heat. A cool room, damp clothing, anxiety, or a change in body temperature can trigger it. Chills with fever may occur during Influenza, Pneumonia, Malaria, Dengue Fever, a Urinary Tract Infection, or a Kidney Infection; the pattern of symptoms and recent travel help guide assessment.

Chills alone cannot identify a cause. Note fever, cough, pain when passing urine, back pain, headache, rash, vomiting, diarrhoea, or confusion. Mention travel to a malaria area even if the trip was not recent.

Move to a comfortable room, change out of damp clothes, drink fluids if you can, and check your temperature during an episode. Write down the time, duration, temperature, associated symptoms and any recent travel or sick contacts.

Arrange a medical review if episodes recur, wake you repeatedly, or occur with fever or urinary, respiratory, abdominal, or neurological symptoms. A clinician may need an examination and tests rather than treating the chills alone.

Seek emergency help for confusion, difficulty breathing, fainting, severe weakness, blue or grey skin, a rapidly worsening feverish illness, or inability to keep fluids down. These signs can occur with serious infection, including Sepsis, and need immediate assessment.

Ask what pattern your symptoms suggest, whether you need tests, how to monitor your temperature, and which changes should prompt urgent review.