When should you see a doctor about chills?

Arrange a medical appointment if chills have no clear explanation, interfere with sleep or daily activities, or are accompanied by a cough, burning urination, abdominal pain, rash, or marked tiredness. A clinician can look for an infection and decide whether an examination or testing is needed.

Chills are an episode of shivering or feeling unusually cold. They can happen as the body raises its temperature during an infection, but they may also follow exposure to cold, some medicines, or other non-infectious causes. Chills may occur before a fever is measurable.

The associated symptoms help guide assessment. Cough and breathlessness can occur with influenza or pneumonia; pain in the side or back with urinary symptoms can occur with a kidney infection; and travel or mosquito exposure may be relevant to malaria or dengue fever. These symptoms do not identify a diagnosis on their own.

Rest, drink fluids if you can do so safely, and use light layers or a blanket for comfort. Check your temperature with a thermometer and note when the chills began, how long each episode lasts, and any new symptoms. Avoid very hot baths or heavy bundling if you have a fever.

If you have a long-term condition, are pregnant, are immunocompromised, or are caring for a young child or older adult, seek advice sooner because infection can worsen quickly or present atypically. Do not start leftover antibiotics or antimalarial medicines without medical advice.

Get emergency help now for chills with confusion, fainting, severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, a seizure, severe weakness, or skin that is cold and clammy. These signs can occur with a serious infection such as sepsis and need prompt assessment.

Seek same-day medical care for a high or persistent fever, repeated vomiting, dehydration, severe headache or stiff neck, a new widespread rash, chest pain, severe abdominal or back pain, or rapidly worsening symptoms. If chills follow recent travel to a malaria-risk area, contact a clinician urgently and mention the places and dates of travel.

Ask what could be causing the chills, whether your symptoms suggest an infection, and which examination or tests may help. Tell the clinician about your temperature readings, recent travel, sick contacts, new medicines, allergies, pregnancy status, and conditions that affect immunity.

You can also ask which changes should prompt urgent review, how to manage fever safely, and when it is reasonable to return to normal activities. Bring a list of medicines and the timing of each symptom if possible.