2. Fever and Chills: The Body’s SOS Signal
Following closely behind the symptom of severe abdominal pain, fever and chills often step onto the stage as part of the body’s SOS. A fever in the context of gallbladder issues isn’t just a mild temperature rise; it can climb high enough to induce shivers and is often accompanied by a cold sweat. This isn’t the kind of fever that a dose of acetaminophen and a good night’s sleep will fix. It’s the body’s battle response to infection or inflammation—signs that the immune system has kicked into high gear.
When a gallbladder ruptures, the release of bile into the abdominal cavity can lead to inflammation, setting off a cascade of systemic responses. The presence of chills with fever is particularly telling, often indicative of a developing infection such as peritonitis, which can occur when bile enters the sterile environment of the peritoneal cavity.
Chills add another layer to the body’s distressed state, causing an uncomfortable sensation of coldness, accompanied by rapid muscle contractions and relaxations. It’s a stark reminder that the body is in a state of emergency, trying to cope with the internal crisis.
Fevers can ebb and flow, but in the case of gallbladder rupture, they tend to persist, creating a state of discomfort that blankets the initial symptoms, adding urgency to an already critical condition. (2)
