Fever with chills | Causes | Symptoms | Treatment

 

What Is Fever with Chills?

When your body temperature rises above the normal body temperature of 37C or 98.6F is called a fever. Fever is not an illness but usually a response to an infection or disease. When your body temperature rises, it tells that your immune system has been activated and is fighting infection. When your body temperature is slightly above normal, it is a low-grade fever.
Chills are the sensation of coldness and response to a rise in body temperature. When your body has an infection, the hypothalamus (part of your brain that sets the body’s temperature) moves the “set point” to a higher temperature. The muscles in your body contract and relax faster to reach this higher temperature.

Common causes of Fever with Chills

Fever with chills can be caused by several reasons, ranging from mild to more serious infections. The following are some reasons:

1. Infections: Bacterial and viral infections are the most common cause of fever with chills. Conditions like flu, pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTI), and strep throat can increase body temperature and chills are usually the first sign.
2. Malaria: Malaria is caused by parasites that are transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes (Female Anopheles mosquitoes). The symptoms of malaria include fever with chills and sweating.
3. Sepsis: Sepsis is the extreme response of the immune system that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. Fever with chills is one of the symptoms of sepsis.
4. Post-surgical infections: After surgery, Patients are at greater risk for developing infection at the surgical site that can lead to fever with chills.
5. Other causes: Autoimmune disease or cancer can also lead to fever with chills.

Symptoms Accompanying Fever with Chills

The symptoms of fever with chills depend upon the cause of infection. Some general symptoms of fever with chills you may experience include:

• Sore throat

• Cough

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Nausea/vomiting

• Sweating

Treatment of Fever with Chills

Treatment of fever with chills depends upon the underlying cause, whereas you can take an over-the-counter medicine like acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen to reduce fever. Avoid the use of aspirin in children because it can cause Rey’s syndrome.

Bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and wearing layers can also manage chills. You should consult with a doctor or pharmacist about dosing and frequency of medication.

When Should You See a doctor?

Fever with chills can be a symptom of something else. You should contact to doctor if you notice the following symptoms:

• Fever lasts for 3 days or more
• The temperature is above 103C
• Chest pain
• Severe fatigue
• Signs of sepsis like rapid heartbeat, and low blood pressure.