Chills Without Fever: Causes & What They Mean

For example, a walk down a cold, windy street may elicit this feeling. They could also be an attempt by your immune system, which is your body's defense against pathogens, to combat an infection or illness like the flu or kidney stones. Chills can also be caused by thyroid dysfunction or anemia.

Chills occur when your body's muscles rapidly contract and relax in an attempt to generate heat. Chills are involuntary, which means you cannot control them. When you have chills, you may experience symptoms like:

Shivering

Trembling

Shaking

Chattering teeth. 

Goosebumps

If you have a fever or a serious infection, you may have chills and sweats at the same time, along with accompanying symptoms such as:

Body hurts.

Clamminess

Fatigue

Sore throat.

Headache

Nausea

Your body temperature might change for a variety of causes, including exposure to the cold, a strenuous activity, or illness. Chills are the body's technique of bringing its core temperature back to normal. The average body temperature is 98.6°F (F), but it can range from 97 to 99°F.

Chills can occur with or without fever. If you have a fever and chills, you could have an infection or a virus.

Flu

Your body may employ chills to raise its core temperature and eliminate the flu virus you've contracted. This is why fever and chills frequently occur at the same time. Although you may feel cold, your internal body temperature can reach 104°F.

If the flu is causing your chills, you may also have symptoms like:

A sore throat or cough

runny or stuffed-up nose

Muscles ache

Fatigue

Headache

Nausea

Symptoms include throwing up and diarrhea.

Most of the time, the flu resolves on its own within two weeks. During such period, you should rest and drink enough of fluid. Children under the age of five, people over the age of 65, and anyone suffering from a long-term health condition should seek medical attention immediately.

Infection

Chills can occur in response to illnesses such pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and malaria. This allows your immune system to respond quickly and more effectively.

Chills and other symptoms associated with an illness may include:

Fever

Coughing

Sore throat or mouth sores?

Stuffed-up nose

Shortness of breath.

Stiff neck.

Pain or burning during urinating

Diarrhea

Throwing up.

Abdominal discomfort

Redness, pain, or swelling in a single area

If you are experiencing these symptoms, see your doctor. You may require medicine to treat the infection.

Kidney Stone Infection

A kidney stone infection may cause you to experience chills.

Sometimes minerals and salts combine to form a hard mass inside your kidney known as a kidney stone. You are more likely to develop kidney stones if you do not drink enough water every day, eat a high-protein diet, or have a high body mass index (BMI).

If the kidney stone irritates or plugs your urinary tract, it might trigger an infection with symptoms such as chills.

Pain in the side, back, stomach, or groin

Pain when you urinate

Pink, crimson, or brown urine.

I urgently need to pee.

Do you pee more or less than usual?

Urine that is cloudy and smells awful.

If you suspect you have a kidney stone, call your doctor straight away. If your stone does not pass on its own, you may require surgery or treatment to break it down into smaller pieces.

Chills without fever.

Chills without a fever can occur for a variety of causes, including medical disorders that cause your body temperature to drop.

Cold weather.

When you are outside in cold weather, your body can lose more heat than it produces. Chills are your body's attempt to generate warmth in order to restore your temperature to normal.

Hypothermia

If your body loses heat faster than it produces it, your body temperature will begin to decline. Hypothermia occurs when your body's temperature goes below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. When your organs are this cold, they cannot operate properly. Chills are your body's attempt to warm itself up.

Chills from being cold are distinct from those generated by hypothermia, a serious medical condition that can result in unconsciousness and death. You are more likely to develop hypothermia if you have been exposed to severely cold weather for an extended period. However, hypothermia can also occur in cool temperatures if you have been in the rain or submerged in water, such as in a pool.

Shivering is the initial indicator of hypothermia. Other symptoms to watch for include:

Slurred speech.

Slower, shallower breathing

Low energy.

Weakened pulse.

Feeling clumsy.

Confusion

Bright red and chilly skin (in newborns)

If you suspect you or someone you know has hypothermia, medical attention may be required to restore your body temperature to normal levels.

Underactive thyroid

The thyroid gland is located in your neck and is shaped like a butterfly. It produces hormones that keep your body warm and your organs running properly. If your thyroid does not produce enough of these hormones, you have underactive thyroid, commonly known as hypothyroidism.

Aside from chills without fever, symptoms may include:

Fatigue

Dry skin.

Feeling absent-minded.

Depression

Constipation

There is no cure for hypothyroidism, although it can be managed with medications. Your doctor may prescribe medications that replace the hormones your thyroid no longer produces.

Hypoglycemia

When your blood sugar levels go dangerously low, you have hypoglycemia. This is most likely to occur if you have diabetes and your diet and medications become out of balance. Insulin and oral diabetes treatments known as sulfonylureas can cause hypoglycemia.

People without diabetes can also have hypoglycemia, albeit it is rare.

If you have hypoglycemia, you may experience body chills without a temperature. Other common symptoms are:

Anxiety

Symptoms: trembling, weakness.

Clammy skin

Sweating

Hunger

Nausea

Feeling sleepy.

If you notice hypoglycemia early, you can treat it with simple sugars like glucose pills or gel, hard candies, juice, or sugar soda. If your hypoglycemia is severe enough to render you unconscious, a friend or family member can provide glucagon, a hormone that helps manage blood sugar.

If you are at high risk of hypoglycemia, you and your family should understand how to recognize and manage it. Even if you do not have diabetes, you should always tell your doctor if you suspect you have hypoglycemia. If left untreated, it may lead you to have a seizure or pass out.

Medication

Antidepressants, migraine meds, and illegal substances can all cause chills.

Start taking them.

Increase your dosage.

Take more than the prescribed dosage.

Suddenly stop taking them (withdrawal).

Anemia

The most prevalent type of anemia is iron deficiency anemia, which damages red blood cells. Your body converts iron into hemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen to your tissues and gives energy to your body. When your iron levels are low (anemia), you may experience fatigue, dizziness, and weakness. You may also feel cooler than normal and develop chills.

How to get rid of chills.

If you're feeling cold, you can warm up by going somewhere warmer, wearing heavier clothing, or drinking hot liquids.

If your chills are caused by a medical issue, the treatment will be determined by the underlying reason. This may include:

Antibiotic or antiviral medicines from your doctor.

Over-the-counter drugs to reduce your temperature

Iron supplements (to treat anemia)

When to Visit a Doctor for Chills

Consult your doctor if you experience chills that do not go away when you try to warm up, or if you have other symptoms associated with chills, such as:

Extreme exhaustion

Chest discomfort.

Unusual or acute abdominal discomfort.

difficulty breathing

If you have a very low or high body temperature accompanied by chills, see your doctor. This includes temps.

Higher than 100.4°F in newborns under 3 months

More than 102.2°F in children aged 3 months to 3 years.

More than 104°F if you are older than three years. 

Below 95°F in anyone aged 3 and older.