Why does urinary tract infection cause chills?

Chills are a feeling of cold with shivering or shaking, and they can occur as the body adjusts its temperature set point during an infection. A bladder infection may cause burning, urgency, or lower abdominal discomfort. Chills with fever, side or back pain, nausea, or vomiting raise concern that infection may involve the kidneys or be making someone systemically unwell. Chills is a common presentation of Urinary Tract Infection. Chills also occur with many illnesses and do not by themselves identify the cause.

Contact a clinician promptly if chills occur with urinary symptoms. They may request a urine sample and assess temperature, hydration, pain, pregnancy, and other health factors. Rest and drink fluids as tolerated unless you have been advised to restrict fluids. Take prescribed treatment exactly as instructed, and do not use leftover antibiotics or share medicine with another person.

Get urgent medical help for shaking chills with fever, severe side or back pain, vomiting, confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, or very little urine. Seek urgent assessment for possible urinary infection during pregnancy, or when a person has a weakened immune system and feels markedly unwell. These signs can indicate an infection needing rapid treatment.

Ask whether the symptoms suggest a kidney infection, whether urine culture testing is appropriate, and what you should do if fever or chills continue. It can also help to ask which pain or fever medicines are suitable alongside your usual medicines and conditions.