Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: August 23, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Differential Diagnosis for Body Shivering

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Hypothermia: This is a common cause of body shivering, especially in individuals exposed to cold environments. The body's initial response to cold stress is to shiver, which helps generate heat.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Infection (e.g., pneumonia, sepsis): Infections can cause shivering due to the body's immune response, which often includes fever and chills.
  • Drug or alcohol withdrawal: Withdrawal from certain substances can lead to shivering among other symptoms like anxiety and tremors.
  • Anxiety or stress: Severe anxiety or stress can cause physical symptoms including shivering or trembling.
  • Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar can cause shivering, sweating, and other symptoms as the body reacts to the lack of glucose.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Meningitis: Although less common, meningitis is a serious infection that can present with fever, chills (shivering), and severe headache. Missing this diagnosis can be fatal.
  • Sepsis: A severe, life-threatening response to infection, sepsis can cause shivering, fever, and other systemic symptoms. Early recognition and treatment are crucial.
  • Neurological disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease): Certain neurological conditions can cause tremors or shivering, which might be mistaken for other causes.
  • Thyroid disorders (e.g., hyperthyroidism): An overactive thyroid gland can cause tremors, shivering, and other metabolic symptoms.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage: A life-threatening condition involving bleeding into the space surrounding the brain, which can cause sudden, severe symptoms including shivering.
  • Adrenal insufficiency: A condition where the adrenal glands do not produce adequate hormones, which can lead to a variety of symptoms including shivering, especially under stress.
  • Certain autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus): These can cause a wide range of symptoms including fever, chills, and shivering due to the body's immune response.
  • Toxins or poisoning: Exposure to certain toxins can cause shivering among other systemic symptoms.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.