Chills in a patient with a cold are usually a precursor to a fever, because a cold is an acute upper respiratory tract infection that can cause symptoms of fever. Before the onset of fever, the temperature in the center of the body rises because the central temperature regulating point moves up, but the temperature on the surface of the body does not rise significantly, so the symptoms of chills and muscle tremors occur. As the muscles contract and tremble, a large amount of heat is generated, causing the surface temperature to rise to match that of the central body temperature, and a fever is often present when the temperature is measured. Patients with colds who develop chills should have their body temperature monitored promptly. When the body temperature rises significantly, for example, to 38.5°C, antipyretic drugs can be used for relief, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and oral rehydration should be administered.
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