Chills are your body’s way of generating heat through rapid muscle contractions, and in most cases, you can manage them at home with layered clothing, fluids, and rest. The first step is checking your temperature, because what you do next depends on whether a fever is driving those chills or something else entirely.
Check Your Temperature First
Chills and fever go hand in hand. When your body detects an infection, it resets its internal thermostat higher, and shivering is the mechanism it uses to close the gap between your current temperature and that new set point. The shivering is involuntary, meaning you can’t will it to stop any more than you can stop a sneeze.
Grab a thermometer and take your reading. Here’s how to interpret it:
- Below 99.5°F (37.5°C): No fever. Your chills may have a non-infectious cause.
- 99.5°F to 100.3°F (37.5–37.9°C): Low-grade fever. Home care is usually enough.
- 100.4°F to 103°F (38–39.4°C): Moderate fever. Manageable at home in most adults, but worth monitoring closely.
- Above 103°F (39.4°C): Call your doctor. This level of fever in an adult warrants medical guidance.
- Above 105.8°F (41°C): Potentially dangerous. Seek immediate care.
If you don’t have a thermometer, pay attention to other cues. Flushed skin, a racing heartbeat, and feeling hot to the touch (even while you feel cold) all suggest a fever is present.
How to Manage Chills at Home
Most chills accompany a common viral illness and resolve within a few hours as your body temperature stabilizes. While you ride them out, comfort is the goal.
Layer up, but don’t overdo it. A light blanket and warm clothing help you feel less miserable without trapping so much heat that your fever climbs higher. If you start sweating, remove a layer. Sweating means your body has reached its target temperature and is now trying to cool down.
Drink fluids steadily. Fever increases fluid loss through sweat and faster breathing. Water, broth, and diluted juice all work. Sip consistently rather than forcing large amounts at once, especially if your stomach feels off. Dehydration makes chills feel worse and slows recovery.
Rest. Shivering burns real energy. Your muscles are working hard even though you’re lying still. Sleep when you can, and avoid pushing through a workout or a busy schedule. Your body is diverting resources toward fighting whatever triggered the chills.
When Fever Reducers Help
Over-the-counter fever reducers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) lower your body’s temperature set point, which stops the shivering cycle. You don’t need to treat every fever, though. A mild fever is part of your immune response and can actually help your body clear an infection faster. The main reason to take a fever reducer is comfort: if the chills, body aches, or headache are keeping you from resting, medication makes sense.
The daily ceiling for acetaminophen is 4,000 milligrams (4 grams) in 24 hours. Going over that threshold risks liver damage, so be careful if you’re also taking cold or flu combination products that already contain acetaminophen. Check the label. For combination tablets containing both acetaminophen and ibuprofen, the standard adult dose is two tablets every eight hours, with a maximum of six tablets per day.
Chills Without a Fever
Not all chills mean you’re sick. If your thermometer reads normal, several other things could be going on.
Cold exposure is the most obvious trigger. Your body shivers to generate heat when it senses your core temperature dropping, even slightly. Moving to a warmer environment or adding layers usually stops this within minutes.
Low blood sugar can cause chills along with shakiness, sweating, and lightheadedness. If you haven’t eaten in several hours, try a snack with some carbohydrates and protein and see if the chills pass. This is especially relevant if you have diabetes or are on medications that affect blood sugar.
An underactive thyroid slows your metabolism, making you more sensitive to cold. If you notice chills frequently, along with fatigue, weight gain, or dry skin, it’s worth mentioning to your doctor. Thyroid function is easy to check with a simple blood test.
Intense emotional stress or anxiety can also trigger chills. The stress response activates many of the same pathways that cold exposure does, including muscle tension and changes in blood flow. These episodes tend to be short and resolve once the emotional trigger passes.
Some medications list chills as a side effect, particularly during the first days of a new prescription. If the timing lines up with a medication change, check the drug information sheet or call your pharmacist.
How Long Chills Typically Last
Individual episodes of chills usually last a few hours. During a viral illness like the flu, you may experience chills on and off for the first two to three days as your fever rises and falls. Once the fever breaks for good, the chills stop.
If your chills persist beyond a few days, or keep returning after the fever has resolved, that pattern suggests your body is still fighting something or that an underlying condition is at play. Persistent chills without an obvious explanation are worth a phone call to your doctor.
Red Flags That Need Immediate Attention
Chills alone are rarely an emergency, but combined with certain symptoms, they can signal a serious infection like meningitis, sepsis, or pneumonia. Get medical care right away if your chills come with any of the following:
- Stiff neck that resists movement
- Confusion, altered speech, or difficulty waking up
- Severe headache, especially with sensitivity to light
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures or convulsions
- Abdominal pain or persistent vomiting
- A rash with small bleeding spots under the skin
Special Rules for Babies and Young Children
Infants can’t regulate their temperature as effectively as adults, and their immune systems are still developing. The thresholds for seeking care are lower and stricter.
Any baby younger than 3 months with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher needs medical evaluation right away, even if they seem fine otherwise. For babies 3 to 12 months old, the threshold is 102.2°F (39°C). Children under 2 whose fever lasts longer than 48 hours should also be seen. And any child with a fever above 105°F (40.5°C) that doesn’t come down readily with treatment needs prompt care.
Avoid bundling a feverish baby in heavy blankets. Dress them in one light layer, keep the room comfortable, and offer frequent feedings to prevent dehydration. Never give aspirin to children, as it carries the risk of a rare but serious condition called Reye’s syndrome.