Treatment and Casues of Chills

Definition: Chills are a sensation of cold from exposure to a cold environment or an episode of shivering with paleness and a feeling of coldness.

Causes:

Exposure to a cold environment
Viral and bacterial infections
Pneumonia
Meningitis
Colds
Influenza
Strep throat
Viral gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis
Urinary tract infections such as pyelonephritis
Infectious mononucleosis


Treatment:

Fever is the body's natural response to a variety of conditions, such as infection. If the fever is mild (102 degrees Fahrenheit or less) with no side effects, no professional treatment is required. Drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest.

Evaporation cools the skin and thereby reduces body temperature. Sponging with comfortably warm water (about 70 degrees Fahrenheit) may help in reducing a fever. Cold water, however, is uncomfortable, and may increase the fever because it can trigger chills.

Medications such as acetaminophen are effective in fighting a fever and chills. Children who have symptoms of a viral infection should not be given aspirin because of the risk of Reye syndrome. Do not bundle up in blankets if there is a high temperature. This will only cause a fever to rise.

Home Care For a Child

If the child's temperature is over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, or if the child is uncomfortable, give pain-relieving tablets or liquid. Non-aspirin containing pain-relievers such as acetaminophen are preferred. Ibuprofen may also be used. Follow the recommended dosage on the package label.

Children who have symptoms of a viral infection should not be given aspirin, because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.

If the child's temperature is over 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit 1 to 2 hours after giving medication for fever, place the child in a tub of lukewarm water up to the navel. Rub a wet washcloth or towel over the child's body for 20 minutes or for as long as can be tolerated. Add warm water as needed to keep the water temperature the same, and keep the child from shivering. Pat (don't rub) the child dry with a towel.

Dress the child in light clothing, provide liquids, and keep the room cool but not uncomfortable.

Don't use ice water or rubbing alcohol to reduce a child's temperature. These can cause shock.

Don't bundle a feverish child in blankets.

Don't wake a sleeping child to give medication or take a temperature -- sleep is more important.

General Treatments to Relieve Fever

Along with treatment of the underlying cause of fever, comfort measures may also be helpful in relieving the discomfort that goes along with fever, chills, and sweats. During periods of fever, giving the patient plenty of liquids, removing excess clothing and linens, and bathing or sponging the patient with lukewarm water may give relief. During periods of chills, replace wet blankets with warm, dry blankets, keep the patient away from drafts, and adjust the room temperature to improve patient comfort.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen may also be prescribed to relieve symptoms. Aspirin may be effective in decreasing fever, but should be used with caution in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and cancer patients who are at risk for developing a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood. Aspirin is not recommended in children with fever because of the risk of developing Reye syndrome.

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