A question about fevers

[Vicky]

When, in the course of a fever, do you get chills as opposed to feeling hot? When your fever is rising? Why is that? What is the physiological reason for chills? How can you FEEL so unbearably cold when your body temp is actually so high?

[Kerry]

I think it's because when your body temperature is very hot, it makes the air around you feel colder. Your body also knows that it's supposed to get hotter in order to fight the illness, so it causes you to shiver in order to create more heat.

When your fever "breaks" and is on its way down again is usually when you start feeling hot and getting sweaty. Your body no longer needs the increased temperature, so it works to get rid of it.

[Mary]

I guess that's why breaking a sweat always seems to mean you are improving. Good to know.

[Storymama]

That's my understanding too. I also think that it's your bodies way of getting you to help it warm up more by seeking out covers, etc. - the point to a fever is that YOU can live at a higher temp, but your germs can't. Your body's immune system is turning up the heat to kill the invaders. (Obviously, there's a limit to how much fever is actually a good thing.)