Results for: Fever and Chills
Emergency Warning Signs
Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately if you experience:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Chest pain or pressure
- Sudden numbness or weakness in face, arm, or leg
- Sudden confusion or trouble speaking
- Severe allergic reaction (swelling, difficulty swallowing)
- Heavy bleeding that won't stop
- Loss of consciousness
- Signs of stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty)
20 Possible Conditions
These conditions are listed by likelihood based on the symptom. This is not a diagnosis.
Influenza (Flu)
A viral respiratory infection that commonly causes fever, chills, body aches, and cough.
COVID-19
SARS‑CoV‑2 infection often presents with fever, chills, cough, and loss of taste or smell.
Bacterial Pneumonia
An infection of the lung parenchyma that produces high fever, chills, productive cough, and shortness of breath.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A bacterial infection of the urinary system that can cause fever, chills, dysuria, and flank pain.
Sepsis
A life‑threatening systemic response to infection, marked by fever, chills, rapid heart rate, and organ dysfunction.
Meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges, often bacterial, presenting with fever, chills, severe headache, and neck stiffness.
Malaria
Parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes, causing cyclical fever, chills, sweats, and anemia.
Strep Throat (Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis)
A bacterial throat infection that can cause fever, chills, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.
Acute Bronchitis
Inflammation of the bronchi, usually viral, leading to fever, chills, cough, and mucus production.
Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)
Inflammation of the stomach and intestines causing fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Endocarditis
Infection of the heart valves that presents with persistent fever, chills, night sweats, and heart murmur.
Tuberculosis (Pulmonary)
Chronic bacterial infection of the lungs that may cause low‑grade fever, night sweats, and weight loss.
Hepatitis A
Viral infection of the liver that can cause fever, chills, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort.
Lyme Disease (Early Disseminated)
Tick‑borne infection that may present with fever, chills, headache, and a characteristic rash.
Appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix causing fever, chills, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.
Chikungunya
Mosquito‑borne viral illness characterized by high fever, chills, severe joint pain, and rash.
Rheumatic Fever
Inflammatory disease following streptococcal infection, presenting with fever, chills, joint pain, and heart involvement.
Clostridioides difficile Infection
Antibiotic‑associated colitis that can cause fever, chills, watery diarrhea, and abdominal cramping.
HIV Acute Retroviral Syndrome
Early HIV infection often presents with fever, chills, sore throat, rash, and lymphadenopathy.
Heat Exhaustion
Overheating condition that may cause elevated body temperature, chills, weakness, and dehydration.
When to Seek Emergency Care
While many conditions can be managed with home care or a doctor's visit, some situations require immediate medical attention. Seek emergency care if:
Heart-Related
Chest pain, rapid heartbeat, or shortness of breath
Brain-Related
Severe headache, confusion, or sudden vision changes
High Fever
Fever above 103°F (39.4°C) or fever with stiff neck
Severe Bleeding
Uncontrolled bleeding or coughing up blood
Medical Disclaimer
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately.
Sources: Mayo Clinic, WebMD, CDC, NIH