Chills
Chills
Chills (/ʧɪlz/), also known as rigors, are a feeling of coldness occurring during a high fever, but can also occur in heavy exertion to cool the body down. It is often accompanied by shivering, pallor, goosebumps, and a feeling of coldness.
Etymology
The term "chills" originates from the Old English ciele meaning "cold, coolness, chill, frost" from Proto-Germanic kalaz also meaning "cold". The term "rigors" comes from the Latin rigere which means "to be stiff".
Causes
Chills are often a symptom of an underlying condition. They are commonly associated with the following conditions:
- Influenza: A viral infection that attacks your respiratory system.
- Pneumonia: Infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs.
- Meningitis: Inflammation of brain and spinal cord membranes, typically caused by an infection.
- Malaria: A disease caused by a plasmodium parasite, transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes.
- Pyelonephritis: Inflammation of the kidney due to a bacterial infection.
Treatment
Treatment for chills often involves treating the underlying cause. This may include medications such as antibiotics for bacterial infections or antipyretics for reducing fever.
Related Terms
- Fever: A temporary increase in your body temperature, often due to an illness.
- Shivering: An involuntary response to coldness or emotional stress, causing muscle contractions in the skin.
- Goosebumps: A temporary local change in the skin when it becomes rougher due to the erection of little muscles, as from cold, fear, or excitement.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chills
- Wikipedia's article - Chills
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