What should you know about high fever, body aches and chills?

Fever is a body response that can accompany infection, while chills may occur as your body tries to raise its temperature. Muscle aches can result from the immune response and are common with illnesses such as Influenza and COVID-19.

The pattern can also occur with illnesses that need specific assessment. Malaria or Dengue Fever should be considered after travel or residence in an area where they occur, especially when fever comes in episodes or is accompanied by marked weakness, headache, rash, nausea or unusual bleeding. Brucellosis can cause a prolonged fever with sweating and joint or muscle pain. A fever alone cannot identify the cause.

Fibromyalgia and Hypothyroidism may cause aches or tiredness, but a new high fever is more suggestive of an acute illness and deserves separate attention.

Rest in a cool, comfortable room and take frequent sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. Wear light clothing, avoid strenuous activity and keep track of when the fever, chills, aches and any new symptoms began. Follow the label directions for a suitable fever-relief medicine, unless a clinician has told you to avoid it; do not combine products that contain the same ingredient.

Limit close contact while you have a fever, improve ventilation and consider a mask around other people. Arrange a clinical review if the fever persists, returns after improving, or you have a recent travel history, pregnancy, a weakened immune system, or a long-term medical condition.

Get urgent medical help for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, fainting, a seizure, a severe headache with a stiff neck, blue or grey lips, or difficulty staying awake. Seek prompt assessment for repeated vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, very little urine, severe abdominal pain, a rapidly spreading rash, or unusual bleeding.

Children, older adults and people with significant health conditions can become unwell quickly. For them, contact a clinician early when a high fever is accompanied by chills, worsening aches, poor drinking, unusual sleepiness or a change in behaviour.

Ask whether your symptoms fit a respiratory infection or another cause, whether testing is needed, and which fever medicine is appropriate for you. Tell the clinician your highest recorded temperature, when symptoms started, medicines you have taken, whether anyone around you is ill, and any recent travel, insect bites, sick-animal contact or unusual food exposure.