Why shivering with fever

We've all been there: burning with fever — and shivering with chills at the same time. It turns out that what feels like an odd internal thermostat malfunction is actually a sign that your body is fighting off an infection. The first thing to understand is that most viruses and bacteria have a hard time surviving above normal human body temperature, which can vary by age, activity, and time of day, but is generally accepted as National Library of Medicine.

In fact, even just a one- or two-degree hike in temperature can stop many invading microorganisms in their tracks. As soon as your brain shifts its internal thermostat to a higher set point to fight off an infection, the rest of your body goes to work trying to generate extra heat to meet that higher temperature goal. The length of a fever — and any accompanying chills — can vary significantly depending on its cause.

The best thing to do is play detective to determine the source of your fever based on other signs and symptoms of your illness, he says.

But Spivak notes that fever can be uncomfortable. As the lungs become compromised by pneumonia, it is harder to draw in enough oxygen to support bodily systems.

Some have touted the use of a blood oxygen monitor also called a pulse oximeter. These small, portable devises measure oxygen saturation in blood by shining a beam of light onto the fingertip. What started as a mild fever quickly escalated, leaving Chow gasping for air. His blood oxygen monitor recorded a level of 70, far below the normal 95 value. He knew he had to call for medical assistance.

While more people are purchasing these devices to determine when it might be necessary to obtain assistance from medical staff, Spivak echoes the advice of the American Lung Association and the American Thoracic Association: Healthy people should not buy a blood oxygen monitor.

Rather, she encourages people to listen to their bodies. If you are having a hard time breathing, call your provider to determine whether to seek care. GSK assumes no responsibility for the content on the website. If you do not wish to leave this website, do not click on the links above. Sinus and nasal congestion. Chills are more common in children than adults, since children are more likely to develop a higher fever than the average grown-up.

Since chills are so directly linked with fever, they will most likely share the same cause. Your body tries to fight off the infection by stimulating your immune system, raising your temperature to help prevent any viruses or bacteria from thriving.

Learn more about what colds and the flu look like. There are a few reasons you might experience chills but not fever. Suffering through fever and its associated chills can be extremely unpleasant, and you may be wondering how to break a fever — or at least reduce it.

Thankfully, most fevers will go away naturally within a few days, but there are some simple steps you can take in the meantime to help feel better: 3, 9. Seek immediate medical attention if your child is under 3 months old and has a fever of above Medline Plus.

Mayo Clinic. Fever in adults. NHS Inform. Fever: possible causes. Cleveland Clinic. Keck Medicine, University of Southern California. Shivering and sweating at night. National Sleep Foundation. Flu symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Treating fever in adults.