Ask a doctor - Why do I feel cold when I have a high fever?

Feeling cold when you have a high fever is a pretty common experience Let me break it down for you When your body temperature rises due to a fever your brain perceives it as too hot In response it kicks in mechanisms to cool you down One of these strategies is to make you feel chilly Your body 39 s thermostat known as the hypothalamus thinks the current temperature is too high It initiates a process to bring it back to what it thinks is normal It signals the blood vessels near your skin to constrict reducing heat loss At the same time your muscles might start to contract and relax rapidly generating heat This can make you shiver adding to the feeling of coldness It 39 s like your body is attempting to create a balance but it can leave you bundled up and shaking Moreover the body 39 s metabolic rate often increases during a fever This heightened activity generates more heat making you feel warmer internally However your external perception might still be cold due to the skin vasoconstriction and shivering Now there 39 s another aspect to consider When you have a fever your body is usually fighting off an infection This process triggers the release of chemicals called pyrogens which signal the hypothalamus to raise the body 39 s temperature This elevated temperature creates an environment that is less favorable for the growth and reproduction of certain pathogens aiding your immune system in its battle So feeling cold during a fever is essentially your body 39 s way of trying to regulate its temperature amidst this internal battle It 39 s a sign that your immune system is revved up and actively working to fend off whatever intruder is causing the fever While it might not be the most comfortable sensation remember that this chilly feeling is often a temporary response to help your body recover Stay hydrated get some rest and if your fever persists or worsens it 39 s a good idea to check in with a healthcare professional They can help determine the underlying cause and guide you on the best course of action for a speedy recovery

Q. Why do I feel cold when I have a high fever?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Feeling cold when you have a high fever is a pretty common experience. Let me break it down for you.

When your body temperature rises due to a fever, your brain perceives it as too hot. In response, it kicks in mechanisms to cool you down. One of these strategies is to make you feel chilly.

Your body's thermostat, known as the hypothalamus, thinks the current temperature is too high. It initiates a process to bring it back to what it thinks is normal. It signals the blood vessels near your skin to constrict, reducing heat loss.

At the same time, your muscles might start to contract and relax rapidly, generating heat. This can make you shiver, adding to the feeling of coldness. It's like your body is attempting to create a balance, but it can leave you bundled up and shaking.

Moreover, the body's metabolic rate often increases during a fever. This heightened activity generates more heat, making you feel warmer internally. However, your external perception might still be cold due to the skin vasoconstriction and shivering.

Now, there's another aspect to consider. When you have a fever, your body is usually fighting off an infection. This process triggers the release of chemicals called pyrogens, which signal the hypothalamus to raise the body's temperature. This elevated temperature creates an environment that is less favorable for the growth and reproduction of certain pathogens, aiding your immune system in its battle.

So, feeling cold during a fever is essentially your body's way of trying to regulate its temperature amidst this internal battle. It's a sign that your immune system is revved up and actively working to fend off whatever intruder is causing the fever.

While it might not be the most comfortable sensation, remember that this chilly feeling is often a temporary response to help your body recover. Stay hydrated, get some rest, and if your fever persists or worsens, it's a good idea to check in with a healthcare professional. They can help determine the underlying cause and guide you on the best course of action for a speedy recovery.