Chills happen when your body is trying to raise its internal temperature, and the fastest way to get rid of them depends on what’s causing them. In most cases, warming up, staying hydrated, and treating any underlying fever will stop the shivering within 20 to 30 minutes. But chills can also signal something that has nothing to do with infection, from low blood sugar to iron deficiency, and each cause has its own fix.
Why Your Body Produces Chills
Chills are your body’s heating system kicking into high gear. A region of your brain called the hypothalamus acts as your internal thermostat. When it detects a threat, like an infection, it raises your temperature set point. Your body then behaves as though its current normal temperature is too cold, triggering rapid muscle contractions (shivering) to generate heat and reach that new, higher target.
This is why you can feel freezing cold even when your skin is hot to the touch. Your brain has essentially moved the goal post. The shivering, goosebumps, and urge to curl up under blankets are all part of the same coordinated effort to close the gap between where your temperature is and where your hypothalamus now wants it to be.
Immediate Steps to Stop the Shivering
If you’re in the middle of a chill episode right now, start with physical warmth. Layer clothing, pull on warm socks, and wrap yourself in a blanket. Adjust your room temperature up if you can. Your body is working hard to generate heat, and reducing heat loss from your skin takes some of that burden off, which helps the shivering ease faster.
Drink something warm. Hot tea, broth, or warm water all help from the inside out. Beyond the direct warmth, fluids replace what you’re losing through sweat, especially if you have a fever. Water is fine, but drinks containing sodium, potassium, and a small amount of sugar help your body absorb fluid faster than plain water alone. Electrolyte drinks, diluted juice, or simple broth all fit the bill.
Rest matters more than it seems. Shivering burns a surprising amount of energy. Lying down under warm covers lets your body direct that energy toward fighting whatever is causing the chills rather than keeping you upright.
When to Use Fever-Reducing Medication
If your chills are paired with a fever above 102°F (38.9°C), a fever reducer can help by lowering your brain’s temperature set point back toward normal. Once that set point drops, your body no longer perceives itself as “too cold,” and the shivering stops. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) both work for this purpose in adults. Aspirin is another option for adults but should never be given to children or teenagers.
For lower fevers, medication isn’t always necessary. A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) counts as a fever, but many people ride out mild fevers with just rest and fluids. The chills at that level tend to be milder and respond well to warming measures alone. Save the medication for when the discomfort is genuinely interfering with your ability to rest or function. One important caution: many combination cold and flu products already contain acetaminophen, so check labels carefully to avoid accidentally doubling up.
Chills Without a Fever
Not all chills come from infection. If you’re shivering but your temperature reads normal, several other causes are worth considering.
- Low blood sugar. Sweating, chills, and clamminess are classic signs of a blood sugar drop. If you have diabetes or haven’t eaten in a while, try consuming about 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates: half a cup of juice, a tablespoon of sugar, or a few hard candies. Wait 15 minutes and check whether you feel better. This is sometimes called the 15-15 rule.
- Iron deficiency. Low iron leads to poor blood circulation, which disrupts your body’s ability to regulate temperature. People with iron-deficiency anemia often feel persistently cold, especially in their hands and feet. If you notice chronic chills alongside fatigue and pale skin, a blood test can confirm whether your iron levels are low.
- Anxiety and panic attacks. The stress response floods your body with adrenaline, which can redirect blood flow away from your skin and trigger shivering. These chills typically pass as the anxiety subsides. Slow, deep breathing and grounding techniques can help in the moment.
- Hypothyroidism. An underactive thyroid slows your metabolism, making it harder for your body to produce enough heat. Cold intolerance is one of the hallmark symptoms, along with fatigue and unexplained weight gain.
- Dehydration. Even mild dehydration can impair your body’s thermoregulation. If you’ve been sweating heavily, haven’t been drinking enough, or have had vomiting or diarrhea, rehydrating with an oral rehydration solution containing sodium, potassium, and glucose can help stabilize your temperature.
Helping a Child With Chills
Children get chills for the same reasons adults do, but their smaller bodies lose heat and spike fevers more quickly. For kids between 6 and 24 months with a rectal temperature above 102°F (38.9°C), acetaminophen is the standard choice. Ibuprofen is also safe for children 6 months and older. Always use the dosing guide on the package based on weight, not age, and avoid giving aspirin to anyone under 18.
Resist the urge to cool a shivering child down with cold compresses or a cool bath. Their body is actively trying to warm up, and fighting that process can trigger harder shivering and drive the temperature even higher. Instead, dress them in a single comfortable layer, keep the room at a neutral temperature, and offer small sips of fluid frequently. For babies under 3 months old with any fever at all, skip home treatment and get medical help immediately.
Red Flags That Need Urgent Attention
Most chills resolve on their own or with the simple measures above. But intense, uncontrollable shaking (sometimes called rigors) paired with certain other symptoms can signal a serious infection or sepsis. Watch for a combination of chills with a fast heart rate, rapid breathing, confusion or unusual drowsiness, very low blood pressure, extreme pain, or skin that looks mottled or has small dark-red spots. These signs together suggest the body’s infection response has become dangerous.
Also seek care if a fever climbs above 103°F (39.4°C) and doesn’t respond to medication, if chills persist for more than 48 hours without improvement, or if you notice signs of dehydration like very dark urine, dizziness when standing, or (in children) no wet diapers for 8 to 10 hours. A stiff neck paired with fever and chills also warrants prompt evaluation.