Schüttelfrost in cold, vaccination & Co.: What is behind it and what can I do?

We feel limp, have headaches and body aches and regularly runs through a sudden cold..We are talking about chills.Why does our body send this typical sign of a cold and which home remedies help with chills?

Schüttelfrost: A classic symptom of colds

We know chills as an unpleasant side effect when we have an elevated temperature or fever.Without warning, our body suddenly runs through an icy cold, we get goose bumps and have to shake ourselves briefly and violently - and sometimes several times in a row.But where does chills come from, it fulfills a purpose and what can we do?

Causes: This is how chills arise

Schüttelfrost is a normal symptom for gradually onset and an approaching cold.If viruses and bacterial infections affect our body, so -called pyrogens - that is,: fever -triggering substances - report to our brain that it should heat the oven to over 38 degrees Celsius to drive out the intruders.We get fever.

So that our temperature rises as quickly as possible to over 38 degrees Celsius, our body reaches for a trick: the muscle tremor.Similar to freezing, our muscles and create warmth.During this reaction, one cold shower chases us over the body after the next.We have chills.

If we get a cold, our body is very weak.The effort that the shaking frost brings with it also exerts us.That is why we often fall asleep relatively quickly after long chills.

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Schüttelfrost after a vaccination

If chills appear as a vaccination reaction, for example after a flu or a corona vaccination, this is a sign of dealing with the immune system with the vaccine, which is also desired.Our unspecific immune defense is activated by the vaccin and certain messenger substances can trigger reactions that are also used to defend pathogens - as well as a cold.In addition to chills, the symptoms such as fever, tiredness or joint pain can be.As a rule, they sound off after one or a few days.

Reading tip: Doctors explain why side effects are even a good sign after corona vaccination

Video: Why do we get fever?

When do we have chills?

The muscle tremor is not just a typical symptom for a cold or flu.Other clinical pictures are also accompanied by chills, including these:

Since these diseases are severely different and other symptoms, you should always consult a doctor if you cannot clearly trigger your shaking frost to flu or cold.If you suffer immediately after a vacation trip to chills and fever, you should always see a doctor to clarify any travel sickness that may be introduced.

What helps with cold frost?

If you want to fall back on the tried and tested medicine chamber in a cold with chills, then there are some things that can help you:

1.to drink tea

Fever is particularly suitable for linden flower tea, because it has a sweaty and fever -reducing effect.The same applies to elderflower tea.

2.Warm up

If you are cold, it is important that you do not freeze more than the shaking frost specifies you.So pack yourself warmly - in blankets, scarves and warm sweaters.Or sit down in a warm cold bath.

3.Drink, drink, drink

Not just tea, also water!Because when your temperature rises, your body also needs and consumes more liquid.

If the cold symptoms do not get any better after a few days, then get a medical assessment.

Reading tip: Doc Fleck's insider tip-how you don't get the annoying cold at all