When our body temperature is high, why do we feel cold?

Question

I was recently sick and my body temperature was 38.6°C. It felt like I was in a refrigerator.
So, why do we feel cold when we have a high body temperature? Shouldn’t we feel hot instead?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Here’s how I actually explain to patients:

It’s not what your body temperature is, it’s what the temperature difference is between your body and the room.

Average body temp = ~98f
Average room temp = 72f
That’s a 26 degree difference.

So a fever of 103f in a 72f room would feel like you were normal body temp in a 67f room, both a 31 degree temp difference.

That’s why your body wants to get under a blanket. Your temperature receptors detect the difference and assume it’s the atmosphere that changed.