What should you know about persistent chills and fatigue?

Chills can occur with fever or when the body is responding to infection, while fatigue describes reduced energy or stamina. COVID-19 may cause both during or after an illness. Anaemia can reduce oxygen delivery and cause tiredness, breathlessness or paleness. Dehydration may bring thirst, dizziness and concentrated urine. Coeliac disease, chronic kidney disease and chronic fatigue syndrome are other possibilities. Burnout, disrupted sleep and alcohol use can also affect energy, but chills should not automatically be attributed to stress.

Check your temperature if you feel chilled, drink regularly if you can, and rest while keeping a note of symptoms. Record sleep, appetite, urine changes, weight change, bowel symptoms, breathlessness, recent infection, travel and alcohol intake. Arrange a primary-care review if fatigue affects ordinary activities, chills recur, or symptoms last beyond a short illness. A clinician can decide whether examination or blood and urine tests are appropriate.

Seek urgent care for confusion, fainting, severe breathlessness, chest pain, a stiff neck, severe dehydration, very little urine, blue or grey lips, or rapidly worsening illness. Prompt advice is also needed for persistent fever, pregnancy with significant symptoms, or reduced immunity.

Ask which causes fit your pattern, whether medicines or nutrition may contribute, and which tests could clarify the problem. Share your temperature readings, symptom timeline, recent travel and any change in urine, appetite or weight.