10 Signs and Symptoms of Bursitis

7. Chills

Septic bursitis and fever are usually accompanied by chills -- a common side effect of high body temperature. People with diabetes or those who consume excessive amounts of alcohol are at greater risk of septic bursitis. Gout and rheumatoid arthritis also increase the amount of bursal fluid in these areas. If the doctor suspects septic bursitis, they may do some tests that require sampling the fluid in the bursa using a sterile needle. They may then prescribe antibiotics based on the organism isolated from the infected bursa. In these cases, over-the-counter medications may be ineffective.