Chills are essentially the body’s attempt to raise its core temperature to a new, higher setting determined by the brain. Understanding this mechanism and taking practical steps for relief can significantly improve comfort while the body recovers.
Understanding the Body’s Thermostat: Why Chills Occur
When an infection or inflammation occurs, the immune system releases chemical messengers known as pyrogens into the bloodstream. These pyrogens travel to the hypothalamus and trick it into raising the body’s normal temperature “set point.” The hypothalamus acts like a thermostat, and its new, higher setting triggers a sequence of responses to generate heat. Because the actual body temperature is still below this new set point, the person feels intensely cold, which is the sensation of chills. To bridge this gap, the body initiates shivering—a rapid, involuntary muscle contraction designed to produce heat—along with the constriction of blood vessels in the skin, helping the body reach the elevated temperature necessary to fight the infection.
Immediate Comfort Measures for Managing Chills
Layering clothing and blankets is effective; use light blankets that can be easily removed as the fever breaks, rather than heavy bundling which can trap too much heat and cause overheating. Maintaining a cool, comfortable room environment also helps the body regulate its temperature naturally.
Staying hydrated supports the body during fever, as a raised temperature increases the risk of fluid loss through sweating. Drinking plenty of fluids like water, electrolyte solutions, or broth helps prevent dehydration and supports overall temperature regulation.
Lukewarm baths or sponging can provide temporary relief from the discomfort of a high temperature, but the water should never be cold. Using cold water or ice can cause the skin’s blood vessels to constrict and may intensify shivering, which generates more heat and defeats the purpose of cooling. A lukewarm temperature helps the body cool down gently through evaporation without triggering the counterproductive shivering reflex.
When to Use Medication and Seek Medical Attention
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be effective in lowering the body’s temperature and reducing the severity of chills by inhibiting the chemical signals that raise the set point. It is important to follow the dosage instructions precisely and avoid taking multiple products that contain the same active ingredient, particularly combination cold and flu medicines. For children, doses are often calculated based on weight, so consulting a pharmacist or physician for the correct amount is a necessary step.
Specific symptoms indicate the need for immediate medical attention beyond simple home care. For adults, a fever reaching or exceeding 104°F (40°C) warrants a medical evaluation. Immediate medical attention is required for the following serious signs:
- Severe headache, neck stiffness, mental confusion, or an unusual skin rash.
- Difficulty breathing, chest pain, or persistent vomiting that prevents keeping fluids down.
- Chills so severe they involve uncontrollable shaking (rigors) that do not subside.
- Fever that lasts for more than three to five days.
Infants under three months of age with any fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher should always be seen by a doctor immediately.