What Does It Mean if You Are Feeling Feverish but Have No Fever
Certain underlying medical conditions may cause feelings of feverishness without actually causing a fever. Here are a few potential causes to consider:
What Causes Feeling Feverish But No Fever?
Have you ever felt hot or had chills, but your temperature reads normal? Feeling feverish can be miserable, especially if you feel weak or tired. There are a lot of reasons why you may have all the symptoms of a fever but no spike in temperature, from hangovers to anxiety.
Here are 9 reasons that may cause a feverish feeling without a fever.
9 reasons why you may be feeling feverish without a fever
1. Psychogenic fever
Psychogenic fever is a stress-related condition that could cause an increase in body temperature or feverish symptoms. This condition may be triggered by traumatic events or chronic stress.
2. Urinary tract infection (UTI) or kidney stones
Inflammation caused by a UTI or kidney stones could cause inflammation throughout the body and result in chills but no fever.
3. Hangover
After a bout of heavy drinking, you may experience a hangover , which can cause chills without a fever. You may also have symptoms such as:
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Headaches and muscle aches
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating and thirst
4. Hypothermia
When the body loses heat rapidly, it tries to warm itself up by contracting your muscles, causing chills. This can cause you to feel feverish even though your temperature hasn’t risen. Other signs of hypothermia include:
- Sleepiness
- Slurred speech
- Low energy
- Confusion
- Clumsiness
- Slowed, shallow breathing
- Weakened pulse
- Bright red, cold skin
5. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition where your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of certain hormones. Apart from chills and feverish symptoms, hypothyroidism may also cause:
6. Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia causes your blood sugar to drop to a dangerously low level and may cause feelings of feverishness. This most often occurs in people with diabetes who are on medications such as sulfonylurea and insulin. Other signs of hypoglycemia may include
- Trembling
- Anxiety
- Weakness
- Clammy skin
- Sweating
- Hunger
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
7. Menopause
Menopause, when a woman stops menstruating, can cause night sweats or hot flashes. Other symptoms include:
- Vaginal dryness
- Urinary urgency
- Difficulty sleeping
- Emotional changes
- Dry skin , dry mouth, or dry mouth
- Cold flashes
8. Infections
If you have the flu, another type of infection, or a skin abscess, you may experience chills without a fever. This may also happen if you have tuberculosis or sepsis.
9. Panic attacks
Panic attacks can cause sudden, brief, but strong reactions in your body. While your temperature may not go up, you may experience chills as well as:
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Difficulty breathing
- Racing heart
- Trembling or shaking
- Sweating
- Tingling or numbness in fingers or toes
- Choking or smothering sensation
Can anxiety make you feel feverish?
In some cases, anxiety can make you feel feverish without actually increasing your body temperature. In other cases, it can cause a recordable fever
In some cases, anxiety can make you feel feverish without actually increasing your body temperature. In other cases, it can cause a recordable fever.
Fever is defined as a body temperature of 100.4 F or more and is usually a sign of infection. However, it can occur due to other causes as well, such as heat exhaustion or hormonal disorders. With anxiety or panic attacks, the rise in temperature may be a result of high levels of stress hormones in your body that increase blood flow to your heart.
What are common symptoms of anxiety?
Anxiety can cause signs and symptoms such as:
- Racing heartbeat
- Sweating
- Rapid breathing
- Uneasiness
- Lack of sleep
- Increased blood pressure
- Muscle spasms
- Headache
- Nausea
Fever related to anxiety typically occurs during stressful situations, but may also be a sign of certain underlying conditions, such as:
- Thyroid storm
- Cocaine abuse
- Serotonin syndrome
- Malignant hyperthermia
- Overdose of medications such as anticholinergics and methamphetamine
What are different types of anxiety disorders?
While everyone deals with anxious feelings at some point, whether it’s fear or apprehension regarding specific situations, the anxiety is typically temporary and short-lived. It may even give you the extra boost or impetus you need to achieve a goal.
However, when anxiety is overwhelming, persistent, and affects your ability to function, it is classified as an anxiety disorder . Examples of anxiety disorders include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): GAD is characterized by excessive fear or apprehension about finances, health, relationships, work or school performance, etc. In order to be classified as GAD, symptoms may persist most days for at least 6 months and may interfere with sleep , relationships, and performance at work and school. The person may feel restless and irritable and find it difficult to focus on tasks, personal well-being, or even simple conversations.
- Panic disorder : This type of anxiety disorder is characterized by panic attacks, which is a sudden feelings of terror in the absence of danger. A person with panic disorder tends to have several attacks that come suddenly and subside over several minutes. Panic attacks can start at any time without any warning signs.
- Phobias: A phobia is an excessive, irrational fear of something that isn’t actually that harmful. Encountering something that triggers the phobia can lead to symptoms such as sweating, heart palpitations, and difficulty breathing. Examples of phobias include:
- Claustrophobia (fear of closed spaces )
- Arachnophobia (fear of spiders )
- Hemophobia (fear of blood )
- Acrophobia (fear of heights )
- Aerophobia (fear of flying )
- Ophidiophobia (fear of snakes)
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How is fever associated with anxiety treated?
Unlike other causes of fever such as infections, anxiety disorders do not respond well to antipyretics or to fever medications. Treatment involves treating the underlying anxiety, typically through a combination of:
- Medications: Anti-anxiety medications (benzodiazepines), beta-blockers, and antidepressants can help manage symptoms. Medications are often prescribed along with psychotherapy.
- Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy mainly involves multiple sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a therapist. CBT focuses on changing thought processes and behaviors that lead to anxiety. Examples include exposure therapy, which helps you confront anxiety triggers, or teaching stress management techniques such as meditation and relaxation exercises.
References
WebMD. Why Do I Have Chills? https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/why-do-i-have-chills
Cleveland Clinic. Panic Disorder. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4451-panic-disorder
ResearchGate. What Is “Internal Fever”, Is It a Correct Medical Term? https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_internal_fever_is_it_a_correct_medical_term
Oka T. Psychogenic fever: how psychological stress affects body temperature in the clinical population. Temperature (Austin). 2015 Jun 3;2(3):368-78. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27227051/
National Institutes of Health. Anxiety Disorders. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders
Princing M. Do You Have Anxiety or COVID-19? UW Medicine. https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/mind/stress/anxiety-or-COVID-19
Fever
Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 F (37 C), in practice, a person is usually not considered to have a significant fever until the temperature is above 100.4 F (38 C). Fever is part of the body’s own disease-fighting arsenal; rising body temperatures apparently are capable of killing off many disease-producing organisms.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by symptoms such as trouble concentrating, headaches, sleep problems, and irritability. Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately 19 million American adults. Treatment for anxiety may incorporate medications and psychotherapy.
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Hot Flashes
Hot flashes (or flushing) is the most common symptom experienced by a woman prior to and during the early stages of menopause, and often is described as the feeling of warmth that spreads over the body, often starting at the head accompanied by sweating. Symptoms of hot flashes include flushing, excessive sweating, anxiety, and palpitations.
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar is dangerously low and is often complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Learn about symptoms, dangers, and treatment.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is any state in which thyroid hormone production is below normal. Normally, the rate of thyroid hormone production is controlled by the brain by the pituitary gland. Hypothyroidism is a very common condition and the symptoms of hypothyroidism are often subtle but may include constipation, memory loss, hair loss, and depression. There are a variety of causes of hypothyroidism, and treatment depends on the cause.
Menopause
Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when menstrual periods permanently stop, also called the “change of life.” Menopause symptoms and signs include hot flashes, night sweats, irregular vaginal bleeding, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, urinary incontinence, weight gain, and emotional symptoms such as mood swings. Treatment of menopausal symptoms varies and should be discussed with your physician.
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Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra. E. coli, a type of bacteria that lives in the bowel and near the anus, causes most UTIs. UTI symptoms include pain, abdominal pain, mild fever, urinary urgency, and frequency. Treatment involves a course of antibiotics.
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What Are the 5 Types of Fever?
Fever is a sign that your body is fighting an infection or illness. Learn the five types of fever, signs, what causes fever, how doctors diagnose fever, and what you can do to treat fever.
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What Does It Mean if You Are Feeling Feverish but Have No Fever?
It’s possible to feel feverish but not be running an actual temperature. Underlying medical conditions, hormone fluctuations, and lifestyle may all contribute to these feelings.
Feeling feverish or hot may be one of the first signs of having a fever. But sometimes you may feel like you have a fever when you do not.
While an occasional feverish feeling isn’t necessarily a cause for concern, ongoing, or chronic, feelings of having a fever without an elevated body temperature could signify an undiagnosed medical condition.
Here’s what you need to know about feeling feverish without having a fever, and what you can do to treat it. It’s also important to know when you should see a medical professional for further evaluation.
What is considered a fever?
A fever is considered a body temperature that’s higher than your personal normal. The average body temperature or “normal” temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. However, some people may run slightly colder or hotter.
Running a fever is most commonly an indication that your body’s trying to fight an infection. While uncomfortable, a fever is an important mechanism for your body to fight off viruses and bacteria. Fever can also be a sign of underlying inflammation in the body.
Feeling feverish without having a high body temperature can also feel uncomfortable, but it can indicate a variety of different issues that do not include infections.
Medical causes
Certain underlying medical conditions may cause feelings of feverishness without actually causing a fever. Here are a few potential causes to consider:
Anxiety
Feeling anxious may induce feverishness. While similar to a psychogenic or emotional fever , anxiety can make you feel hot without necessarily increasing your core body temperature.
- muscle tension
- restlessness
- excessive worrying
- fatigue
- irritability
- increased heart rate or heart palpitations
Diabetes
Having either type 1 or type 2 diabetes can occasionally make you feel hotter than normal. You may especially notice these effects during more hot and humid months. This can be caused by :
- the way higher temperatures change your insulin
- a higher vulnerability to dehydration, which can make you feel more thirsty
- changes in your sweat glands, which can make it more difficult for your body to cool itself in hotter temperatures
Hyperthyroidism
An overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) may lead to heat sensitivity due to an influx of thyroid hormones in your bloodstream. Flushing and excessive sweating are also possible.
Other common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
- irritability
- anxiety
- increased heart rate
- insomnia
- skipped menstrual cycles
- unintentional weight loss
- increased bowel movements
- muscle weakness
- thinning or brittle hair
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) may also cause heat sensitivity in some people. At first, you may notice blurry vision along with feverishness. However, heat sensitivity can also lead to more nerve damage and subsequent neurological symptoms.
The most common symptoms of MS include:
- muscle spasms
- problems with movement and balance
- vision changes
- feelings of tingling and numbness
- bowel and bladder problems
- mental health issues
- problems with thinking and learning
- sexual dysfunction
- speech difficulties
- problems with swallowing
- pain
- excessive fatigue
Environmental and lifestyle causes
Your environmental and lifestyle habits may also play a role in making you feel feverish. Possibilities include:
- excessive caffeine or alcohol intake
- eating spicy foods
- consuming hot beverages and foods
- inaccurate temperature readings
Exercise can also make you feel feverish, particularly if you work out in hot temperatures. An inability for your body to cool down in hot, humid conditions can increase your risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Heat stroke, on the other hand, increases your body temperature to 103 degrees Fahrenheit or more within 15 minutes. This is a medical emergency that may result in the following symptoms:
- lack of sweating despite feeling hot
- confusion
- seizures
- a rapid or weak pulse
- unconsciousness
If you or a loved one is presenting symptoms of a heat stroke, call emergency services.
Other causes
Other causes of feeling feverish may be hormonal in nature, especially in women. Hot flashes in both perimenopause and menopause can make you feel hot and flushed, while also causing night sweats.
Pregnancy may also make you feel more feverish than normal, as well as your menstrual cycles.
Certain medications can also increase your risk for heat intolerance, such as:
- antibiotics
- cancer drugs, including chemotherapy
- antihistamines
- decongestants
- drugs for high blood pressure
- heart disease medicines
- thyroid hormone replacements
- anti-nausea drugs
Treatments and home remedies
If you are feverish but aren’t displaying an abnormal body temperature, you can help make yourself feel cooler with the following strategies:
- avoid going outside during the middle of the day when temperatures are the hottest
- make sure the temperature indoors is cool, and run fans when you can
- drink plenty of fluids
- wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
- dress in layers
- avoid alcohol and caffeine—these are both dehydrating, but may also worsen underlying medical conditions such as anxiety
- limit spicy and hot foods
However, if you have a medical condition that’s causing you to feel feverish, you will need to treat the underlying cause. Examples include:
- anti-anxiety medications and behavioral therapy for anxiety
- checking your blood glucose and adjusting insulin as needed for diabetes
- adjusting your thyroid medication
- seeing your doctor for any new or worsening neurological symptoms
When to seek care
Talk with your doctor if you’re feeling chronically feverish despite making lifestyle changes. They may run diagnostic tests, such as bloodwork, to help rule out any possible causes. If you’re currently taking any medications, they may adjust the type of drug, and they may also adjust the dose.
The bottom line
It’s possible to feel feverish but not have a fever, and there are many possible causes. Certain underlying medical conditions may increase your intolerance to heat, while some medications you take can also be to blame. Other causes may be temporary, such as exercising in the heat.
If you continue to feel feverish despite lifestyle adjustments, talk with a health professional for next steps.
