Erica Cirino is a writer, artist and researcher who works globally. While on assignments in places as far-off as the South Pacific Ocean and the Arctic Circle, she covers science stories that often meet at the intersection of human and wildlife health, and environmental conservation. In particular, Erica is highly focused on uncovering the depths and health effects of the global plastic pollution crisis.\n"},"avatar":{"title":"","width":200,"height":200,"src":"https://post.healthline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/200x200_Erica_Cirino.png"}}],"reviewedByHeader":"Medically reviewed by"},{"title":["What Causes Shivering with Fever?"],"text":["People often associate shivers with being cold, but they are also a symptom with fever. Learn how to manage shivering, treat a fever, and when to seekâ¦"],"link":"/health/shiver-with-fever","imageAlt":"What Causes Shivering with Fever?","thumbnail":"https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/sweaty_feverish_child_in_bed-732x549-thumbnail-732x549.jpg","medicallyReviewedBy":{"reviewerName":"Stacy Sampson, D.O.","reviewerImage":{"path":"https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Stacy-Sampson-500x500-Bio.png","width":200,"height":200,"altText":""},"specialties":[]},"isNutrition":false,"authors":[{"id":177,"name":{"display":"James Roland","first":"James","last":"Roland"},"userLogin":"jamesroland87","links":{"website":"","facebook":"","linkedin":"","twitter":"","instagram":"","tiktok":""},"type":{"value":"author","label":"Author"},"nid":"","specialties":[],"guestTitle":"","bio":{"text":""},"avatar":{"title":"","src":""}}],"reviewedByHeader":"Medically reviewed by"},{"title":["Feel Cold All the Time? Hereâs Why â and How to Warm Up"],"text":["If you always feel cold, you might just have a lower cold tolerance, but a constant cold sensation can also suggest an underlying health concern."],"link":"/health/always-cold","imageAlt":"Feel Cold All the Time? Hereâs Why â and How to Warm Up","thumbnail":"https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/woman-wrapped-in-blanket-at-home-732x549-thumbnail-732x549.jpg","medicallyReviewedBy":{"reviewerName":"Avi Varma, MD, MPH, AAHIVS, FAAFP","reviewerImage":{"path":"https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Avi-Varna-500x500-Bio.png","width":200,"height":200,"altText":""}},"isNutrition":false,"authors":[{"id":174,"name":{"display":"Erica Hersh","first":"Erica","last":"Hersh"},"userLogin":"erica.hersh","links":{"website":"https://ericahershwriting.com/","facebook":"","linkedin":"","twitter":"","instagram":"","tiktok":""},"link":"/authors/erica-hersh","type":{"value":"author","label":"Author"},"nid":"159194","specialties":[],"guestTitle":"","bio":{"text":"
Erica Hersh is a health writer, editor, and communications strategist based in Boston, MA. In 2014, she fulfilled her lifelong dream of being on Jeopardy. She did not, however, fulfill her dream of winning on Jeopardy.\n
The term âchillsâ refers to a feeling of being cold without an apparent cause. Chills can occur with a fever and cause shivering or shaking.
The term âchillsâ refers to a feeling of being cold without an apparent cause. You get this feeling when your muscles repeatedly expand and contract and the vessels in your skin constrict. Chills can occur with a fever and cause shivering or shaking.
Your body chills can be constant. Each episode can last for as long as an hour. Your chills can also occur periodically and last for several minutes.
Some chills occur after exposure to a cold environment. They can also occur as a response to a bacterial or viral infection that causes a fever. Chills are commonly associated with the following conditions:
If you or your child has a fever with chills, there are some things you can do at home for comfort and relief. Keep reading to learn how to treat a fever with chills and when you should call a doctor.
Home care for adults
Treatment is usually based on whether your chills are accompanied by a fever and the severity of the fever. If your fever is mild and you have no other serious symptoms, you donât have to see a doctor. Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of liquids. A mild fever is 101.4°F (38.6°C) or less.
Cover yourself with a light sheet and avoid heavy blankets or clothing, which can raise your body temperature. Sponging your body with lukewarm water or taking a cool shower may help reduce a fever. Cold water, however, may trigger an episode of chills.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can lower a fever and fight chills, such as:
As with any medication, carefully follow the instructions and take them as directed. Aspirin and ibuprofen will lower your fever and reduce inflammation. Acetaminophen will bring down a fever, but it wonât reduce inflammation. Acetaminophen can be toxic to your liver if it isnât taken as directed and long-term use of ibuprofen can cause kidney and stomach damage.
Home care for children
Treating a child with chills and fever depends on the childâs age, temperature, and any accompanying symptoms. In general, if your childâs fever is between 100ºF (37.8°C) and 102ºF (38.9°C) and theyâre uncomfortable, you can give them acetaminophen in tablet or liquid form. Itâs important to follow the dosing instructions on the package.
Never bundle feverish children in heavy blankets or layers of clothing. Dress them in lightweight clothing and give them water or other liquids to keep them hydrated.
Never give aspirin to children under the age of 18 because of the risk of Reyeâs syndrome. Reyeâs syndrome is a rare but serious disorder that can develop in children who are given aspirin while fighting a viral infection.
Your doctor will ask questions about your chills and fever, including:
Do the chills make you shake, or do you only feel cold?
What was your highest body temperature that was accompanied by chills?
Have you had chills just once or have you had repeated episodes of chills?
How long did each episode of chills last?
Did the chills begin after exposure to an allergen, or did they begin suddenly?
Do you have any other symptoms?
Your doctor will perform a physical examination and possibly run diagnostic tests to see if a bacterial or viral infection is causing your fever. Diagnostic tests may include a:
blood test, including a blood culture to detect bacteria or fungi in the blood
Chills and fever are signs that something is wrong. If chills and fever persist after treatment, see your doctor to determine the underlying cause.
If a fever goes untreated, you may experience severe dehydration and hallucinations. Children ages 6 months to 5 years may also have fever-induced seizures, which are known as febrile seizures. These seizures donât typically cause long-term health problems.
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