Sweating with fever in adults

A fever raises the body’s internal temperature. When the temperature starts to fall, sweating helps release heat through the skin. Chills may come before this change, followed by damp clothing or bedding. Infections such as a respiratory illness, skin infection, or COVID-19 can cause fever and sweating; sweating by itself does not identify the cause.

Notice the timing, how high the temperature is if measured, and whether symptoms are improving between episodes. Cough, sore throat, rash, painful urination, abdominal pain, or a localised area of redness can help a clinician decide what to check.

Rest, drink fluids regularly, and wear light layers that can be removed as you warm up. Replace wet clothes and keep the room comfortably cool. Follow the label or a clinician’s advice if you use a fever medicine, and check whether another medicine already contains the same ingredient.

Avoid strenuous activity and alcohol while you are unwell. If symptoms continue, record temperature readings, sweating episodes, medicines taken, and new symptoms. This information can make an assessment more useful.

Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, fainting, a seizure, severe weakness, a stiff neck, or a rapidly spreading rash. Get prompt medical advice if you cannot keep fluids down, pass very little urine, or the fever is worsening rather than settling.

Arrange a clinical review when fever keeps returning, lasts longer than expected, or comes with a weakened immune system, recent travel, or a significant underlying illness. Adults who feel seriously unwell should seek help even if the thermometer reading is modest.

Ask: What could be causing the fever and sweating? Which symptoms should make me seek urgent help? How much fluid should I aim to drink? Should I test for a respiratory infection, and which fever medicines are suitable with my other conditions or medicines?