Chills is an automatic response of the body to regulate internal temperature. It is practically a muscle contraction, which manifests itself in cold feeling and tremors.
Usually, chills occur in the case of:
- fever,
- when staying in the cold.
Chills and fever can be caused by:
- benign illnesses, such as colds,
- but also by serious diseases, such as malaria or meningitis.
Chills and fever are more common in children than in adults.
Staying in cold temperatures and a lowered body temperature (below 37°C) can cause chills.
In addition, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases and some cancers can cause fever and chills.
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Causes of chills without fever
Chills without fever can be a reaction of the body to a cold environment.
It can be a symptom of some of the conditions mentioned below.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition caused by a decrease in red blood cells and is one of the most common causes of chills.
Anemia is a condition that can cause increased sensitivity to cold.
Women may suffer from chills during their menstrual cycle, but it is also a symptom during ovulation.
The chills are caused by:
- blood loss
- and the reduction in the number of red blood cells during menstruation.
Thyroid disorders
The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland that has several important functions, including regulation:
- body temperature
- and metabolism.
If the thyroid gland is not working properly, you may feel tired and have chills even without a fever.
Malnutrition Malnutrition malnutrition
can have an influence on the sensation of cold.
The lack of vitamin B complex, for example, can promote anemia and thus increase sensitivity to the sensation of cold.
Stress Stress
negatively affects the immune system and can also create a hormonal imbalance that affects the regulation of body temperature.
Hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia
may be responsible for chills.
A person with low blood sugar may have:
- cold sweats,
- headache,
- Tremble
- Anxiety
- Indisposition.
If the blood sugar level is very low, dizziness may also occur.
Taking certain medications Prolonged use of certain medications
can cause chills without fever. Anesthetic painkillers and beta-interferon can cause an intense feeling of cold.
Weight problems
There is a relationship between fat and cold sensation. Underweight people are more likely to have chills.
Fat helps maintain body heat.
Allergic reactions
Sometimes chills are caused by an allergic reaction. Some people get chills either with or without fever,
- as soon as they come into contact with an allergen or
- after an insect bite.
Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure can cause fatigue and chills, even if the environment is warm.
Chills during menopause
In menopause, changes in hormone levels cause hot flashes that affect the center for body temperature in the brain (hypothalamus).
This can start with a heavy sweat to cool down the body.
When the hot flashes are over, the skin is moist and severe chills may occur.
Causes of chills with fever
If suddenly an intense feeling of cold appears and the chills are accompanied by fever, it usually means that the body is fighting an infection.
Chills arise as a reaction of the body, which keeps its temperature at an optimal level even in hot weather conditions.
Chills and fever can be caused by many diseases.
The following are the most common causes.
The seasonal flu. The main symptoms of the flu are:
- Ague
- Fever.
Other symptoms of this infection are generalized pain and fatigue.
Malaria. High fever with chills in the cycle of 48-72 hours is one of the main symptoms of malaria.
pneumonia. Chills and fever are the most common symptoms of pneumonia.
Other possible symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- chest pain,
- cough,
- Headache.
Sore throat. This bacterial infection can cause fever and chills. Treatment of sore throat caused by bacteria involves the use of antibiotics.
Tuberculosis. This is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs.
Symptoms of tuberculosis include:
- fever,
- chills,
- cough (up to 3 weeks),
- Weight loss.
Meningitis. Viral infections that cause meningitis usually improve without therapy.
However, bacterially caused meningitis are very serious and dangerous. Meningitis causes symptoms such as:
- Ague
- high fever,
- Headache
- neck stiffness,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- photosensitivity,
- State of mental confusion.
Inflammation of the kidneys. Renal dysfunction can lead to an accumulation of toxins in the body.
During a urinary tract infection, chills and increased body temperature occur, for example, in the case of pyelonephritis.
Tumors. Many cancers cause fever and chills. This is often the case with:
Inflammatory diseases of the pelvis. Pelvic inflammation includes bacterial infections in the upper genital tract (uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes).
Possible causes of these pathological forms are:
- sexually transmitted diseases, such as infections caused by chlamydia and gonorrhea
- an abortion.
Symptoms include fever and chills.
Appendicitis. Pain in the abdomen may indicate a severe case of appendicitis if accompanied by fever, chills and other symptoms, such as:
- Nausea
- Vomit
- stool constipation,
- Diarrhea.
In this case, surgical intervention must be carried out to remove the appendix.
Joint. Some diseases of the joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can cause:
- Ague
- Fever
- joint pain,
- Swelling.
AIDS. AIDS sufferers have a weak immune system.
You can get an infection very quickly.
Those who have a weakened immune system are more susceptible to chills and fever than other people.
Other causes of chills
Infections, such as:
- bacterial or viral gastroenteritis,
- Chickenpox.
Possible accompanying symptoms of chills
Chills often occur with other symptoms that depend on the underlying condition or disorder.
Symptoms that may occur along with chills include:
- Pain
- Cough
- Diarrhoea
- Earache
- Fever
- general malaise
- hot or dry skin
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Rash
- Perspire
- Vomit
- Vertigo (dizziness)
Chills during pregnancy
Chills during pregnancy can be the symptom of a condition that needs to be treated. While some discomforts are normal characteristics of a healthy course of pregnancy, other disorders can be a problem.
The feeling of cold often occurs with common illnesses that cause an increase in body temperature, such as colds and flu.
You can feel cold one moment, then hot.
Sweating is often accompanied by chills.
Causes
As a rule, chills and fever are the symptoms of infection.
You can get chills due to a viral infection, for example, with gastroenteritis or intestinal flu.
However, chills and fever can be the symptom of a very serious infection, such as:
- Pneumonia
- Appendicitis
- Pyelitis.
Urinary tract infections often occur in pregnant women, they can cause:
- Fever
- Ague
- frequent urge to urinate.
The dangerous causes of chills include infections of the kidneys, which can lead to premature birth or miscarriage.
Treatment of chills during pregnancy
Although over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen and paracetamol can help reduce fever, it is important to obtain doctor’s approval before taking any over-the-counter medication during pregnancy.
Depending on the severity and duration of the fever and the stage of development of the unborn child, the doctor may perform some tests to determine the cause of the fever, such as:
- Röntgenuntersuchung,
- Urinanalyse,
- Blood tests.
Bacterial infections (for example, on the genitourinary tract or breast) often require oral antibiotic therapy.
Shaking ost after birth
Nocturnal chills due to milk injection
After delivery, chills can be caused by the injection of milk, that is, at the time when the milk is provided in the female breast for breastfeeding.
This phenomenon occurs in the first week after childbirth and may be accompanied by chills in bed at night.
If chills and high fever occur after delivery, the patient may suffer from a vaginal or uterine infection.
It is important to consult a doctor immediately.
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