From the Guidelines
The medical term for severe shaking chills is rigors. Rigors are intense, involuntary muscle trembling or shivering episodes that often occur with a rapid rise in body temperature during fevers, as noted in the context of managing side effects of IL-2 therapy 1. They typically indicate an underlying infection where the body is responding to pyrogens (fever-producing substances) released by pathogens or by the immune system itself. Rigors are commonly associated with serious infections like sepsis, malaria, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, or other conditions that trigger a significant immune response. During rigors, patients experience uncontrollable shaking that can be quite violent and distressing, often accompanied by teeth chattering and an inability to get warm despite blankets. These episodes usually resolve as the fever stabilizes but may recur with subsequent fever spikes. If you experience rigors, it's essential to seek medical attention promptly as they often signal a significant infection requiring treatment.
Key characteristics of rigors include:
- Intense, involuntary muscle trembling or shivering
- Often occur with a rapid rise in body temperature during fevers
- Indicate an underlying infection
- Associated with serious infections
- Can be violent and distressing
- May recur with subsequent fever spikes
In the management of conditions that may present with rigors, such as serotonin syndrome, treatment often involves discontinuing the precipitating agent and providing supportive care, which may include treatment of agitation, amelioration of hyperthermia, and management of autonomic instability 1. However, the primary concern with rigors is the underlying cause, which needs to be identified and treated appropriately to prevent morbidity and mortality.
Given the potential severity of conditions associated with rigors, prompt medical evaluation is crucial to determine the underlying cause and initiate appropriate treatment, thereby reducing the risk of complications and improving outcomes in terms of morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.
From the Research
Medical Term for Severe Shaking Chills
The medical term for severe shaking chills is rigors.
- Rigors are defined as a severe form of chills, characterized by whole-body shaking, often accompanied by a fever 2.
- The term "rigors" is used to describe the intense, shaking chills that can occur in patients with severe infections, such as bacteremia 3, 4.
- Studies have shown that rigors, or shaking chills, are a significant predictor of bacteremia, with a high specificity and positive likelihood ratio 5, 6.
- The presence of rigors can be an important diagnostic sign for clinicians to identify patients at high risk of bacteremia and guide appropriate treatment 3, 4, 5, 6.