Have you ever felt a sudden wave of cold wash over your body? Your teeth might start to chatter, and your entire body shakes uncontrollably. People often call this a "fever chill" or simply catching a cold.
However, chills can happen for many reasons beyond just a standard fever. Let us explore what chills really mean, what causes them, and how you can safely take care of yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Chills happen when your body works hard to keep or raise its core temperature.
- Infections and fevers are the most common causes, but other health issues can trigger them too.
- You can often ease mild chills by putting on warm layers and drinking warm fluids.
- Watch for severe warning signs like chest pain, breathing trouble, or extreme fever.
- Always talk to your doctor before giving any medicine to young children.
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What Are Chills?
Simply put, chills are a sign that your body is trying to protect its inner core temperature. When you experience chills, your muscles tighten and relax very fast to generate warmth.
During a chill, you might notice a few key signs:
- Your body shakes or trembles continuously.
- Your jaw tightens and your teeth chatter together.
- You get goosebumps on your skin.
These reactions happen because your body controls them automatically without you thinking about it. When your muscles contract rapidly in this way, your body makes extra heat. Sometimes you shake because you are in a cold room or outside in freezing weather. At other times, your body shivers because it is fighting off an infection, illness, or another health problem.
What Causes Chills?
You feel chills when your body's internal temperature drops below normal levels. A healthy adult body usually stays around 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit), though normal temperatures vary slightly from person to person.
Imagine you go outside into freezing winter weather. Your body temperature can drop to dangerous levels if you are not careful. Doctors call this condition hypothermia. Various medical conditions can also trigger chills and shivering.
| Cause | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|
| Infections | This is the most common cause. Bacterial infections like pneumonia or urinary tract infections (UTIs), along with viral infections like influenza, cause your body to fight back with a fever and chills. |
| Diabetes | When blood sugar drops too low in a person with diabetes, known as hypoglycemia, the body can react with sudden shivering and shaking. |
| Cancers | Certain cancer types, such as leukemia, can include recurring chills and unexplained shivering as part of their symptom profile. |
| Mental Health Factors | Severe anxiety, panic attacks, or trauma after a frightening event like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can make your body tremble and shake. |
| Other Causes | Withdrawal from certain substances, alcohol hangovers, or hormonal night sweats during menopause can also trigger body shivering. |
Do Surgeries Cause Shivering Too?
Yes, shivering after surgery is very common. When you wake up from general anesthesia, your body temperature often drops slightly even if you do not feel cold. Shivering helps your body warm back up to a normal level.
You can also experience sudden shaking when you experience a fright. If a car nearly hits you while crossing the street, your body releases a sudden rush of adrenaline hormone. This adrenaline spike often causes temporary shaking.
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Check Availability →How Can You Prevent Chills?
If you want to prevent chills caused by cold environments, dress in warm clothing suitable for the weather. Wearing clothes in multiple layers lets you easily put on or take off items as the temperature changes. This prevents heavy sweating, which can cool your skin too much later.
You can also protect yourself by lowering your risk of underlying medical conditions. Avoid harmful drug misuse and heavy alcohol intake. If you live with a chronic condition like diabetes, follow your doctor's instructions to keep your blood sugar stable every day.
Chills usually signal that your body is fighting an illness or regulating its temperature. However, you should never ignore them if severe symptoms happen at the same time.
What Should You Do When You Have Chills?
Treating chills depends entirely on what is causing them in the first place.
- If caused by cold weather: Put on extra warm clothing and move to a heated indoor space. Drinking warm fluids like herbal tea or warm water helps raise your inner body temperature.
- If caused by illness: Treating the underlying sickness makes the chills go away. For example, bacterial infections require prescription antibiotics from your doctor.
- Viral infections often need rest, fluids, and time for your immune system to clear the virus.
- Fever and discomfort often respond well to medicines like paracetamol. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine, especially when treating infants or young children.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Seek medical advice right away if your chills happen alongside any of the following warning signs.
| Warning Symptom | When to Seek Urgent Care |
|---|---|
| Abnormal Body Temperature | Fever over 40°C (104°F) or body temperature under 35°C (95°F) in adults or children over age 3. For children aged 3 months to 3 years, a fever over 39°C (102.2°F). For babies under 3 months, any fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher requires immediate emergency care. |
| Chest Pain | Any sudden, unexplained chest pain or uncomfortable tightness in your chest. |
| Breathing Difficulty | Shortness of breath, wheezing, or struggling to catch your breath. |
| Severe Abdominal Pain | Intense, sharp stomach pain that does not go away. |
| Extreme Fatigue | Extreme tiredness or confusion that makes it hard to stay awake or function. |
Do not stay home and wait if you experience these warning signs. Call emergency services (911 in the US/Canada, 999 in the UK) or go straight to the nearest Emergency Department (ER or A&E) right away.
Emergency Red Flags
If chills and shivering come with blue lips, severe confusion, a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under glass pressure, or trouble breathing, call 911 or 999 right away. These signs can point to dangerous conditions like sepsis or severe infection that need emergency hospital treatment.
💡 Take-Home Message
Chills are your body's natural response to cold surroundings or internal illness. While fevers are the most frequent cause, infections and other medical conditions can also trigger them. If you feel cold and shaky, put on warm layers and drink warm liquids. However, if chills come with severe signs like high fever, chest pain, or breathing trouble, contact a doctor right away. Never give medicine to children without professional guidance.
Sources & References:
- Mayo Clinic. (2025). Chills: Causes and When to See a Doctor. Available at: Mayo Clinic.
- National Health Service (NHS). (2025). Fever and Shivering in Adults and Children. Available at: NHS UK.
- Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Understanding Chills and Body Shivering. Available at: Cleveland Clinic.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2025). When to Seek Emergency Medical Care.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2024). Global Guidelines for Fever and Infection Management.
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