What Causes Sudden Onset Of Chills In An Elderly Person?

Posted on Thu, 26 Mar 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 26 Mar 2015 Answered on

Thu, 16 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My 80 yr old husband just started shaking from chills. He is not vomiting or has diahrea. He is not running a fever. I have him resting under covers. Gave him 2 Aleve because he has back pain & feels stiffness. Should I be doing anything else?
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Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
fever

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns

You 80 year old husband has a sudden onset of chills and shaking. This may indicate that your husband has an infection. I would call his medical provider and ask to be seen today. If they can not see him today then I recommend taking to an urgent care center or an ER. The danger here is if this is an infection it maybe in his blood and that can be life threatening

I hope this answered your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care questions and concerns

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar