Why does sepsis cause chills?

Sepsis is a serious, potentially life-threatening reaction to an infection that can affect how the body's organs work. Chills is a common presentation of Sepsis. They may feel like uncontrollable shaking or teeth chattering and can occur with a fever, but temperature can also be normal or low. Chills also occur with less serious infections, so they do not identify sepsis on their own. The concern is the overall pattern: an infection or recent illness combined with a person becoming suddenly much more unwell, weak, confused or short of breath.

If sepsis is suspected, seek emergency medical help now. Do not wait to see whether the chills pass, and do not drive yourself if you are confused, faint, severely weak or breathless. Tell the emergency team about any recent infection, surgery, wound, urinary symptoms, cough, medication, immune system problem, pregnancy or recent hospital care. While waiting for help, stay with the person, keep them comfortably warm, and follow instructions from emergency services.

Call emergency services immediately for chills with confusion, blue or grey lips or skin, difficulty breathing, new severe weakness, fainting, a new rash that does not fade when pressed, very little urine, or rapidly worsening illness. Urgent assessment is especially important for babies, older adults, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems. Sepsis needs hospital assessment and treatment; home treatment is not appropriate when it is suspected.

Once urgent care has been arranged, share when the illness started, how quickly symptoms changed, the highest or lowest temperature measured, recent infections, and all medicines taken. If you are supporting someone else, note any change in alertness, breathing, skin colour or urine output, as these details can help the clinical team assess urgency.