Why Do I Have Chills?

Chills are primarily a response to low temperature, but infections disease, neurological problems and other conditions may cause them.

Chills are a feeling of coldness, usually accompanied by shivering or shaking. They may simply be a reaction to a cold environment or a symptom of illness.

The main symptoms of chills include:

• Feeling cold
• Shivering
• Shaking

Additional symptoms that may accompany chills depend on the cause, and may include:

• Cold environment/low core body temperature (hypothermia) 
  • Memory loss
  • Slurred speech
  • Confusion
  • Clumsiness
  • Tiredness
  • Breathing faster than usual
  • Urinating more than usual
• Viral or bacterial infections
  • Fever
  • Body aches/muscle aches
  • Fatigue
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) 
  • Sweating
  • Confusion
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Blurred vision
  • Lightheadedness
  • Drowsiness
• Heat-related illness (heat exhaustion, heat stroke)
  • Dark colored urine 
  • Dizziness 
  • Dry mouth 
  • Headaches 
  • Thirst 
  • Weakness
• Panic attack
  • Fear
  • Anxiety
  • Shortness of breath
  • Heart palpitations
  • Sweating
  • Dizziness
  • Chest pain (patients may believe they are having a heart attack)
• Hemolytic anemia
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Heart palpitations
  • Pale skin
  • Headache
  • Confusion
  • Yellowing skin and eyes (jaundice)
  • Enlarged spleen or liver 
  • Fever, pain in the back and abdomen, or shock (severe cases)
• Malaria
  • Fever
  • Sweats
  • Head and body aches
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
• Leukemia and other blood cancers 
  • Swelling of the lymph nodes
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Night sweats
  • Abdominal pain
  • Recurring infections
• Frisson (also called “skin orgasm” or “shivers down your spine”)
  • Usually pleasurable
  • Burst of tingling

Treatment for the chills depends on the cause. 

• Cold environment/low core body temperature (hypothermia) 
  • Move the person to a warmer place right away
  • Remove any wet clothing
  • Cover the person with blankets
  • Drink warm beverages (if the person is able to drink)
• Viral or bacterial infections
  • For both viral and bacterial infections, rest and drinking plenty of fluids helps
  • If the infection is bacterial, antibiotics may be prescribed
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) 
  • Follow the “15-15” rule: Consume 15 grams of simple carbs, such as a glucose tablet, fruit juice, hard candy, or honey, and re-check blood glucose in 15 minutes
  • After that, eat a meal, but don’t overeat to avoid a blood sugar spike
• Heat-related illness (heat exhaustion, heat stroke)
  • Get medical assistance quickly and call 911: heat stroke is a medical emergency
  • Move to a shaded area
  • Try to cool rapidly using cold water immersion, spray from a hose, cold water sponging, or by placing cold towels over the entire body
  • Drink cool beverages (if the person is conscious)
• Panic attack
  • For a first-time panic attack, see a doctor
  • If you have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, treatment may include medication and psychotherapy 
• Hemolytic anemia
  • Lifestyle changes
  • Medications
  • Blood transfusions
  • Blood and bone marrow transplants
  • Surgery to remove the spleen
• Malaria
  • Anti-malarial medication
• Leukemia and other blood cancers 
  • Chemotherapy 
  • Immunotherapy 
  • Targeted therapy
  • Bone marrow transplant (also called "stem cell transplant") 
  • Radiation
  • Surgery
• Frisson (also called “skin orgasm” or “shivers down your spine”)
  • No treatment needed
  • Frisson is harmless and will stop on its own after a short time