Chill fever refers to the experience of having chills (shivering) in conjunction with a fever. Chills are rapid muscle contractions and relaxations, the body's way of generating heat when it feels cold, often signaling the onset or escalation of a fever. Essentially, you feel cold and shiver despite having an elevated body temperature.
Here's a breakdown:
-
Fever: An elevated body temperature, usually indicating an infection or illness.
-
Chills: The sensation of feeling cold, accompanied by shivering.
-
Chill Fever (Combined): Experiencing both of these symptoms simultaneously.
Why does this happen?
When your body detects an infection, it raises its internal "thermostat" (the set point temperature). Even though your actual body temperature might already be normal or slightly elevated, your brain perceives it as being too low. To reach the new, higher set point, your body triggers mechanisms to generate heat, including:
-
Muscle Contraction (Shivering): Rapidly contracting and relaxing muscles generates heat. This is what causes the chills.
-
Vasoconstriction: Blood vessels near the skin surface constrict, reducing heat loss to the environment. This is why you might feel cold and your skin might appear pale.
In Summary:
Chill fever is the common experience of having both chills and a fever concurrently. It indicates that your body is actively trying to raise its core temperature, usually in response to an infection.
