How to get rid of chills with no fever: Causes and natural remedies

October 2, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, chills can occur even without a fever and are often a sign that your body is reacting to cold or fighting off an illness. Understanding the potential triggers is the first step in learning how to get rid of chills with no fever and finding effective relief.

Quick Summary

Address chills without a fever by identifying the root cause, which can range from cold exposure or stress to underlying health issues like low blood sugar or anemia, then apply targeted home remedies such as staying warm, hydrating, and managing stress to regain comfort.

Key Points

Identify the Cause: Chills without a fever can result from various factors, including cold exposure, stress, anxiety, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), anemia, or hormonal shifts like menopause.
Stay Warm and Hydrated: Address immediate chills by putting on layers of clothing, using blankets, or taking a warm bath. Drinking warm fluids like herbal tea or broth is also effective for warming up from the inside.
Manage Stress: For anxiety-induced chills, utilize relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises or meditation to calm the nervous system and prevent episodes.
Regulate Blood Sugar: If low blood sugar is the trigger, maintain stable glucose levels by eating regular, balanced meals and having a healthy snack on hand.
Know When to See a Doctor: Consult a healthcare provider if chills are persistent, worsen over time, or are accompanied by other symptoms like severe fatigue, unexplained weight loss, or confusion, as these could indicate an underlying medical condition.
Review Your Medications: Chills can be a side effect of certain medications. If symptoms begin after starting a new prescription, discuss it with your doctor to explore alternatives.

Understanding the Causes Behind Chills with No Fever

Chills are your body's involuntary muscle contractions designed to generate heat and raise your core temperature. While often associated with a fever, this symptom can appear on its own due to a variety of reasons. Understanding these triggers is essential for finding the right way to manage and eliminate the discomfort.

Environmental Factors

Cold Exposure: The most obvious cause is simply being too cold. Exposure to chilly weather, staying in a cold room, or wearing damp clothing can all trigger shivering.
Sudden Temperature Change: A rapid shift from a warm to a cold environment can shock your system and cause temporary chills.

Psychological and Emotional Triggers

Stress and Anxiety: When you experience intense stress, anxiety, or a panic attack, your body releases adrenaline as part of its 'fight or flight' response. This can cause muscle tension and a disruption in your body's temperature regulation, leading to chills and shivering.
Extreme Emotions: Strong emotions like fear or shock can also trigger a rush of adrenaline, resulting in shivering or trembling.

Health and Lifestyle Conditions

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar): Skipping meals or strenuous exercise can cause a drop in blood sugar, which can manifest as chills, sweating, and weakness.
Anemia: A deficiency in red blood cells limits the amount of oxygen that reaches your tissues, making you feel cold and fatigued. Iron or vitamin B12 deficiencies are common causes.
Infections in the Early Stage: Chills can sometimes be the very first symptom of a viral or bacterial infection, even before a fever has developed. The body is already beginning its fight against the pathogen.
Thyroid Disorders: An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can slow your metabolism, making you more sensitive to cold and prone to chills.
Dehydration: A lack of sufficient fluids can impair your body's ability to regulate its temperature, causing you to feel cold and dizzy.
Hormonal Fluctuations: Changes in hormone levels, such as those during menstruation or menopause, can trigger temperature dysregulation and sudden chills.
Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, including some antidepressants and antibiotics, can list chills as a potential side effect.

Immediate Remedies for Chills Without Fever

When you feel the shivers coming on, several immediate actions can help you warm up and find relief.

Warm Up with Layers: Put on extra layers of clothing, including warm socks and a sweater. Trapping body heat is one of the most direct ways to stop chills.
Drink Warm Beverages: A hot cup of herbal tea (ginger or chamomile are excellent choices), broth, or warm lemon water can help increase your internal body temperature and provide comfort.
Take a Warm Bath or Shower: Immersing yourself in warm water can help relax muscles and raise your body's core temperature. Ensure the water is warm, not hot, to avoid shocking your system.
Use a Heating Pad or Blanket: Localized heat can be very effective. Place a heating pad or a hot water bottle on your torso to help warm your core.
Move Around Gently: If you're not feeling fatigued, light activity like a short walk or some gentle stretching can increase blood flow and help you feel warmer.

Long-Term Strategies for Prevention

If you find yourself frequently experiencing chills with no fever, implementing some long-term strategies may help reduce their occurrence.

Lifestyle and Dietary Changes

Stay Hydrated: Consistently drinking plenty of water throughout the day is crucial for overall health and helps maintain your body's temperature regulation.
Eat Regular Meals: To prevent blood sugar dips that can cause chills, eat regular, balanced meals. Keep a small snack handy if you have a tendency for low blood sugar.
Address Nutritional Deficiencies: If your chills are linked to anemia, consult a doctor about iron or vitamin B12 supplements. For overall warmth, consider a diet rich in iron.

Mind-Body Techniques

Manage Stress Effectively: Implement stress management techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. Regular practice can help calm your nervous system and reduce anxiety-related chills.
Prioritize Rest and Sleep: Adequate sleep is vital for immune function and overall body regulation. Lack of sleep can contribute to inflammation and physical symptoms like chills.

Comparative Overview of Remedies


Remedy	Best For	Pros	Cons	Availability	Effectiveness	Ease of Use
Warm Beverages	Immediate relief from cold	Quick, soothing, and hydrating	Temporary effect, requires preparation	High	High (temporary)	High
Layering Clothes	Long-term warmth and prevention	Versatile, adjustable, and easy	May not be enough for underlying causes	High	High (environmental)	High
Stress Management	Anxiety-induced chills	Addresses root cause, long-lasting	Requires practice and consistency	High	Medium (requires consistency)	Medium
Warm Bath	Muscle aches and full-body warmth	Highly soothing, immediate relief	Temporary effect, can dehydrate	High	High (immediate)	Medium
Addressing Anemia	Chills from nutritional deficits	Long-term solution, targets root cause	Requires medical advice, not immediate	Low (requires diagnosis)	High (long-term)	Medium

When to Seek Medical Attention

While most cases of chills without a fever are temporary and manageable at home, it's important to know when to consult a healthcare provider.

Persistent Symptoms: If your chills last for more than a few days, despite home remedies, a doctor's evaluation is warranted.
Additional Symptoms: Seek medical advice if chills are accompanied by other concerning symptoms like severe fatigue, unexplained weight loss, dizziness, confusion, or shortness of breath.
Pre-existing Conditions: If you have a chronic condition like diabetes or a thyroid disorder, monitor your symptoms closely and discuss any changes with your doctor.
New Medications: If the chills start shortly after beginning a new medication, contact your doctor to determine if it is a side effect.

For more information on causes and treatments, you can read expert insights on websites like the Cleveland Clinic.

Conclusion

Chills with no fever are a common and often harmless experience, frequently triggered by environmental cold, stress, or minor infections. Simple home remedies like staying warm, hydrating, and practicing stress management can provide quick and effective relief. However, understanding potential underlying causes such as anemia, low blood sugar, or thyroid issues is key to preventing future episodes. By combining short-term solutions with long-term preventative measures and knowing when to consult a medical professional, you can effectively manage this unsettling symptom and improve your overall well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

The fastest way to get rid of chills with no fever is to warm your body immediately. Put on extra layers of clothing, drink a warm beverage like tea or broth, and wrap yourself in a cozy blanket. If caused by stress, a short breathing exercise can also help.

Yes, dehydration can cause chills without a fever. Your body needs adequate fluids to regulate its temperature properly. When dehydrated, this regulation can be disrupted, leading to symptoms like chills, fatigue, and dizziness.

A person might suddenly get chills due to various reasons, including a rapid change in environment (moving from a warm to a cold room), an adrenaline surge from stress or fear, a sudden drop in blood sugar, or as an early sign of an infection.

Yes, certain medications can have chills as a side effect. Some antibiotics, antidepressants, and blood pressure drugs are known to cause this. If you suspect your medication is the cause, speak to your doctor before making any changes.

While often benign, persistent or severe chills with no fever can signal an underlying issue like a thyroid disorder, anemia, or a hidden infection. It's crucial to consult a doctor if the symptom is frequent or accompanied by other worrying signs.

Yes, anxiety and stress can absolutely cause chills. The body's 'fight or flight' response releases adrenaline, which can cause muscle tension and affect how your body regulates temperature, leading to shivering or trembling.

Yes, anemia can cause a person to feel cold and experience chills. A low red blood cell count impairs oxygen transport throughout the body, reducing circulation and leading to symptoms like fatigue and cold intolerance.

Yes, using a heating pad is generally safe and effective for chills with no fever. Placing it on your abdomen or back can help warm your core and provide comfort. Always follow safety instructions and avoid sleeping with it on.