Sweating is a common experience when feeling unwell. It is a natural physiological process that helps the body maintain its internal temperature. During illness, various bodily responses can trigger sweating as part of the effort to restore balance.
How the Body Regulates Temperature During Illness
The human body maintains a stable internal temperature through thermoregulation, primarily controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain. This area acts like a thermostat, constantly monitoring and adjusting the body’s heat production and loss.
When pathogens enter the body, the immune system responds by releasing chemical messengers called pyrogens. These pyrogens signal the hypothalamus to raise the body’s temperature set point, leading to a fever that creates an environment less favorable for germ multiplication and boosts immune cell activity. As the body’s temperature rises to meet this new, higher set point, a person might experience chills and shivering as the body attempts to generate more heat.
Once the immune system has combated the infection, or if fever-reducing medications are taken, the hypothalamus resets the temperature set point back to its normal range. Since the body’s actual temperature is now higher than the new set point, the body initiates cooling mechanisms. Sweating is the primary way the body cools itself down by releasing heat through the evaporation of moisture from the skin. This process helps the body return to its healthy temperature.
Common Scenarios for Sweating While Sick
Sweating commonly occurs as a fever begins to subside or “breaks.” This perspiration indicates the body is actively cooling down after fighting an infection or in response to fever-reducing medication. It signals the body’s temperature set point has lowered, shedding excess heat to return to a normal state.
Night sweats are another common occurrence during illness. They often result from the body persistently fighting an infection, leading to continued elevated body temperature and cooling efforts during sleep. Inflammation and increased metabolism associated with fighting illness can also contribute to night sweats. While often related to fever, other factors like anxiety or hormonal fluctuations can also contribute to night sweats.
Certain medications for illness can also lead to sweating as a side effect. Antipyretics (fever reducers) and pain relievers, for example, can cause increased sweating as they help regulate body temperature. Some antibiotics, antidepressants, or opioids are also known to cause excessive sweating.
When Sweating During Illness Requires Medical Attention
While sweating is often a normal part of the body’s response to illness, certain accompanying symptoms indicate a need for medical attention. Seek professional evaluation if sweating is accompanied by a persistent high fever that does not respond to medication, or if the fever is unusually high. Medical help should be sought immediately if sweating leads to signs of extreme dehydration, such as severe thirst, dark urine, dizziness, confusion, or a rapid heart rate.
Other red flags include sweating with difficulty breathing, chest pain, or severe pain elsewhere in the body. Confusion or changes in mental status, as well as unexplained weight loss alongside sweating, are also concerning. For infants and young children, any fever, especially if accompanied by signs of severe dehydration or lethargy, should prompt a doctor’s visit. These symptoms, when combined with sweating, can signal a more serious underlying condition requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Managing Discomfort from Sweating
Managing discomfort from sweating when sick involves fluid replacement and environmental adjustments. Staying well-hydrated is important to replace fluids and electrolytes lost through sweating. Drinking plenty of water, clear broths, or electrolyte-rich drinks can help maintain the body’s fluid balance.
Wearing light, breathable clothing like cotton helps the body cool down and allows sweat to evaporate. Changing damp clothes and bedding frequently prevents chilling and promotes comfort. Using cool compresses on the forehead or neck, or taking a lukewarm shower, can help lower body temperature and provide relief. Maintaining a comfortable room temperature, ideally on the cooler side, also assists the body in regulating its temperature and reduces excessive sweating.