Why does your body ache when you’re sick. How can you alleviate full-body pain during illness. What are the underlying causes of body aches. When should you seek medical attention for persistent aches.

Understanding the Mechanism Behind Body Aches During Illness

When you fall ill with a cold, flu, or other infections, your body often responds with widespread aches and pains. This uncomfortable sensation is more than just a nuisance; it’s a sign that your immune system is actively combating the invading pathogens. But what exactly causes these pervasive aches?

The primary culprit behind body aches during illness is inflammation. As your immune system detects the presence of harmful microorganisms, it releases white blood cells to fight off the infection. This immune response triggers inflammation throughout the body, which can leave your muscles feeling sore and achy.

Interestingly, the severity of your body aches often correlates with the intensity of your immune response. The harder your body works to fend off the illness, the more pronounced the aching sensation may become. While uncomfortable, this is actually a positive sign that your immune system is functioning properly.

Common Symptoms Accompanying Body Aches

Full-body aches rarely occur in isolation. They’re typically accompanied by a constellation of other symptoms that can help you identify the underlying cause of your discomfort. Some common companions to body aches include:

• Fever
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Shivering or fluctuations in body temperature
• Cold and flu-like symptoms (such as coughing, sneezing, and congestion)

Recognizing these associated symptoms can help you better understand the nature of your illness and determine the most appropriate course of action for recovery.

Effective Strategies for Alleviating Body Aches

While the best way to eliminate body aches is to treat the underlying illness, there are several strategies you can employ to find relief while your body fights off the infection. Here are some effective methods to help ease your discomfort:

Stay Hydrated

Proper hydration is crucial when you’re battling an illness, especially one that causes symptoms like sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea. These symptoms can quickly lead to dehydration, which can exacerbate body aches and hinder your recovery. To combat this, focus on consuming plenty of fluids throughout the day.

Which fluids are best for staying hydrated during illness? Water is always an excellent choice, but you can also opt for:

• Herbal teas
• Clear broths
• Electrolyte drinks
• Soup (which provides both hydration and easy-to-digest nutrients)

By maintaining proper hydration, you’re supporting your body’s ability to fight off the infection and potentially reducing the severity of your aches.

Utilize Heat Therapy

Heat can be a powerful ally in relieving muscle tension and soothing body aches. There are several ways to incorporate heat therapy into your recovery routine:

1. Take a warm bath or shower: The warmth can help relax tense muscles and provide overall comfort. However, be cautious not to make the water too hot, especially if you have a fever. Aim for a temperature just above lukewarm to avoid elevating your body temperature further.
2. Use heating pads or warm compresses: These can be applied to specific areas of discomfort for targeted relief. Be sure to use them safely and avoid falling asleep with a heating pad to prevent burns.
3. Wrap yourself in a warm blanket: This can provide gentle, all-over warmth that may help ease body aches. Again, be mindful of your body temperature, especially if you’re running a fever.

Regulate Your Body Temperature

Body aches often go hand-in-hand with fever, creating a cycle of discomfort. As your body temperature rises, you may experience chills, causing your muscles to tense up and potentially exacerbating the aching sensation. To break this cycle, focus on regulating your body temperature:

• Take fever-reducing medications as directed by your healthcare provider
• Use cool compresses or take a lukewarm bath to bring down a high fever
• Dress in lightweight, breathable clothing
• Use only a thin blanket or sheet to avoid overheating

By keeping your body temperature in check, you may be able to reduce the severity of your body aches and improve your overall comfort.

The Importance of Rest in Combating Body Aches

When you’re dealing with body aches and other symptoms of illness, one of the most effective remedies is often the simplest: rest. The connection between sleep and immune function is well-established in scientific research, with studies showing that adequate sleep can strengthen the body’s defense systems.

During illness, your body often craves more sleep than usual. This increased need for rest is not just a side effect of feeling unwell; it’s an important part of your body’s healing process. Sleep allows your body to focus its energy on fighting off the infection and repairing damaged tissues.

How can you ensure you’re getting enough rest when you’re sick? Consider these strategies:

• Create a comfortable sleep environment: Ensure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature
• Stick to a regular sleep schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up at consistent times, even when you’re ill
• Take short naps during the day if needed: While too much daytime sleep can disrupt your nighttime rest, short naps can help you recharge
• Avoid screens before bedtime: The blue light from electronic devices can interfere with your sleep quality

By prioritizing rest, you’re giving your body the best chance to recover quickly and effectively from your illness.

The Role of Over-the-Counter Pain Medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications can be valuable tools in managing body aches during illness. However, it’s important to choose the right type of medication and use it appropriately.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often the most effective choice for body aches associated with illness. Common NSAIDs include:

• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• Naproxen (Aleve)
• Aspirin

These medications work by blocking the body’s production of certain chemicals that cause inflammation. As a result, they can help reduce both pain and fever, addressing two common symptoms simultaneously.

While acetaminophen (Tylenol) can also help reduce pain and fever, it doesn’t have the same anti-inflammatory properties as NSAIDs. However, it may be a better choice for some individuals, particularly those with certain medical conditions or those taking other medications that may interact with NSAIDs.

Always follow the dosage instructions on the packaging or as directed by your healthcare provider. If your symptoms persist or worsen despite using OTC medications, it’s important to consult with a medical professional.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Body Aches

While body aches during illness are often manageable with home remedies and over-the-counter treatments, there are situations where professional medical attention may be necessary. Understanding when to consult a healthcare provider is crucial for ensuring proper treatment and preventing potential complications.

Generally, body aches from viral illnesses should start to improve within a few days. If your aches persist or worsen after 3-5 days of home treatment, it’s advisable to check in with your primary care physician (PCP). They can assess your condition and determine if further intervention is needed.

There are also specific circumstances where you should seek medical attention sooner:

• Body aches that appear after a tick bite: This could be a sign of Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses
• Aches accompanied by severe redness or swelling: These symptoms might indicate a more serious infection
• Body pain occurring with a rash: This combination of symptoms could point to various conditions requiring medical evaluation
• Persistent aches without other symptoms: If you experience frequent or prolonged body aches without an apparent cause, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition

Additionally, if your body aches are accompanied by high fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or other severe symptoms, seek immediate medical attention as these could be signs of a more serious condition.

Exploring the Diverse Causes of Body Aches

While we often associate body aches with common illnesses like colds and flu, there are numerous other potential causes for this widespread discomfort. Understanding these various triggers can help you better identify the root cause of your aches and seek appropriate treatment.

Infectious Causes

Many infectious diseases can lead to body aches as part of their symptom profile. These include:

• Viral infections: Common cold, influenza, COVID-19, mononucleosis
• Bacterial infections: Strep throat, Lyme disease, pneumonia
• Fungal infections: Certain systemic fungal infections can cause widespread aches
• Parasitic infections: Malaria, toxoplasmosis

Autoimmune Conditions

Several autoimmune disorders can manifest with body aches as a prominent symptom:

• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Multiple sclerosis

Hormonal Imbalances

Changes in hormone levels can sometimes lead to body aches. Conditions that might cause this include:

• Hypothyroidism
• Hyperthyroidism
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Menopause

Medications and Treatments

Certain medications and medical treatments can have body aches as a side effect:

• Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs)
• Some blood pressure medications
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy

Chronic Conditions

Several chronic health conditions can cause persistent or recurring body aches:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Myofascial pain syndrome
• Polymyalgia rheumatica

Lifestyle Factors

Sometimes, body aches can be attributed to lifestyle choices or environmental factors:

• Dehydration
• Poor sleep habits
• Excessive physical exertion
• Stress and anxiety
• Poor posture or ergonomics

Given the wide array of potential causes, persistent or severe body aches should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment plan.

The Impact of Stress on Body Aches

While we often think of stress primarily as a mental health concern, its effects can manifest physically in various ways, including body aches. The relationship between stress and physical pain is complex and multifaceted, involving both psychological and physiological mechanisms.

When you’re under stress, your body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones can cause muscle tension throughout the body, leading to aches and pains. Chronic stress can keep your muscles in a constant state of tension, potentially resulting in persistent discomfort.

Moreover, stress can lower your pain threshold, making you more sensitive to physical discomfort. This means that minor aches that you might typically ignore can feel more pronounced when you’re under stress.

Stress can also indirectly contribute to body aches by:

• Disrupting sleep patterns, which can exacerbate pain
• Encouraging poor dietary choices, which may lead to inflammation
• Reducing physical activity, leading to muscle weakness and stiffness
• Weakening the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections that cause body aches

Managing stress through techniques like meditation, regular exercise, and adequate sleep can help reduce stress-related body aches. If stress is significantly impacting your physical health, consider speaking with a mental health professional for additional support and strategies.

Nutritional Approaches to Alleviating Body Aches

While medication and rest are crucial components in managing body aches, nutrition can also play a significant role in alleviating discomfort and supporting your body’s healing processes. Certain foods and nutrients have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce pain and promote overall wellness.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods into your diet may help reduce body aches. Some beneficial options include:

• Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines) rich in omega-3 fatty acids
• Berries, particularly blueberries and strawberries
• Leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale
• Nuts and seeds, especially walnuts and flaxseeds
• Olive oil
• Turmeric and ginger, which have natural anti-inflammatory properties

Hydrating Foods

Staying hydrated is crucial when you’re dealing with body aches. In addition to drinking water, you can consume hydrating foods such as:

• Watermelon
• Cucumber
• Celery
• Zucchini
• Soups and broths

Protein-Rich Foods

Adequate protein intake is important for muscle repair and overall recovery. Good sources of protein include:

• Lean meats
• Fish
• Eggs
• Legumes
• Greek yogurt

Vitamins and Minerals

Certain vitamins and minerals can support immune function and potentially help alleviate body aches:

• Vitamin C: Found in citrus fruits, bell peppers, and broccoli
• Vitamin D: Obtained through sunlight exposure or found in fatty fish and fortified foods
• Magnesium: Present in nuts, seeds, and whole grains
• Zinc: Found in oysters, beef, and pumpkin seeds

While nutrition alone may not completely eliminate body aches, a balanced diet rich in these nutrients can support your body’s natural healing processes and potentially reduce the severity of your symptoms. As always, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.

Why your whole body aches when you’re sick (and what you can do about it)

Coming down with a cold, virus or the flu is never fun. But sometimes you can push through if the symptoms aren’t too bad. Have a sore throat? Gargle. Feeling congested? Take a steam shower. Mild fever? Take fever-reducing medicine. It’s bearable, though not ideal.

But once full-body aches set in (often accompanied by a fever), you may quickly find yourself out of commission. Unlike the muscle aches that can come on after one too many squats, body aches from an illness tend to cause dull pain and discomfort everywhere.

The good news is you can find some relief from full-body aches right in the comfort of your home. Here’s what you need to know:

What causes body aches when you’re sick?

When you have the flu, a common cold, a virus or a bacterial infection, your immune system jumps into action. It reacts by releasing white blood cells to fight off the infection. The reaction causes inflammation, which can leave your muscles feeling achy.

The good news is that your achiness is a sign that your body is fighting off the illness. But the harder your body works, the more severely the body might ache.

Full-body aches are also often accompanied by other symptoms including:

• Fever
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Shivering or body temperature changes
• Cold and flu-like symptoms

What helps body aches

The best way to diminish full-body aches is to treat the underlying cause of the aching. But as you’re waiting for treatment to kick in — or just waiting for a virus to run its course — try to:

Stay hydrated

Some symptoms of cold and flu — such as sweating, vomiting and diarrhea — can leave you dehydrated. But water is essential to your body’s normal functioning and its ability to fight infection. Drink plenty of water, broth, tea or electrolyte drinks. Soup is also a great way to stay hydrated, especially if you are struggling to eat solid foods.

Use heat to relax your muscles

Heat can loosen muscles and provide relief from body aches. If you don’t have a severe fever, a warm bath or shower can be relaxing. But avoid making the temperature too hot — keep the water just above lukewarm to maintain your body temperature. Heating pads or blankets can also offer some comfort, but avoid excessive heat and don’t use them if there is a chance you may fall asleep.

Regulate your body temperature

Full-body aches often go hand-in-hand with a fever. As a higher body temperature causes you to shiver, your muscles tense up and may begin to ache. To regulate your body temperature, reach for fever-reducing pain medicine, take a cool bath and use only a thin blanket or sheet.

Rest

Research shows that the immune system and sleep are closely connected. Sleep strengthens the body’s defense system. And when the body is fighting infection, it craves more sleep. The problem is that when you are sick, other symptoms often make it hard to sleep soundly. Try to rest as much as possible — it will relax your muscles and speed up the healing process.

Take over-the-counter pain medication

Common pain relievers may help you feel better but be sure to choose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. NSAIDs have anti-inflammatory properties and block the body’s production of inflammation-causing chemicals. As a bonus, NSAIDs also help reduce fever to regulate body temperature.

When to see your doctor about full-body aches

Body aches from a viral illness typically clear up in a couple of days and improve with home remedies. But if your body aches haven’t gotten better after 3-5 days, check in with your primary care physician (PCP).

See a doctor sooner if your body aches:

• Appear after a tick bite
• Accompany severe redness or swelling
• Occur with a rash

If you don’t have a fever or other symptoms, and you experience body aches often or for prolonged periods of time, make an appointment with your PCP. It could be a sign of a drug reaction or a more severe and chronic underlying medical condition, such as an autoimmune disease.

If you have body aches that aren’t improving, reach out to your primary care physician.

Body Aches: 17 Possible Causes

Body aches occur with many health conditions, including arthritis and the flu. If the pain lasts more than a few days, is severe, or occurs with other symptoms, you may need medical attention.

Often, rest and home treatment can relieve body aches. However, persistent or severe pain may have an underlying cause that needs medical attention.

A doctor can help you work out a treatment plan to relieve your aches and other associated symptoms.

Keep reading to learn more about 17 causes for body aches and pains and other symptoms of each, to help you work out what’s happening.

We often think of stress as a mental health condition, but it can also impact the body on a cellular level.

In times of stress, the body can become more susceptible to infection and inflammation, and it may lead to aches and pains.

Other symptoms of stress and anxiety include:

• an increased heart rate and blood pressure
• sweating
• hyperventilating
• trembling
• headache

Get some tips for relieving stress here.

Water is an essential ingredient for the body’s normal and healthy functioning. Without it, you can become dehydrated, which can lead to muscle cramps.

Other symptoms of dehydration include:

• dark urine
• dizziness or disorientation
• exhaustion
• extreme thirst

What’s the best way to rehydrate?

Adults aged 18 and over need to sleep at least 7 hours in every 24 hours.

Having too little sleep can make you more sensitive to pain. It can also worsen existing pain symptoms.

Around 25% of your sleep should be the deepest sleep. During this time, the body repairs itself and releases essential hormones, among other functions.

Not getting enough quality sleep also increase the risk of various chronic conditions, such as:

• diabetes
• cardiovascular disease
• obesity
• depression

How much deep, light, and REM sleep do we need, and how can we get enough good quality sleep?

A cold, the flu, COVID-19, and other infections can cause inflammation as your immune system works to remove them. This can cause aches and pains.

Here are some common symptoms of these conditions.

Cold symptoms are usually milder than those of flu. The severity and types of COVID-19 symptoms vary widely, but they can become life threatening if a person finds it hard to breathe.

What’s the difference between cold and flu symptoms?

Anemia happens when your body doesn’t have enough properly functioning red blood cells, so your body tissues can’t get enough oxygen.

Some people who live with chronic conditions have anemia of inflammation. Experts believe this may result when a chronic condition affects how the body works, including how it uses iron.

Possible symptoms include:

• body pain
• a rapid heart rate
• dizziness or light-headedness
• weakness and fatigue
• pale skin
• shortness of breath

What are some signs of iron deficiency anemia?

Hypocalcemia, or a low blood calcium level, can happen when you don’t have enough calcium in your diet and vitamin D (calciferol) in your body from sunshine or your diet.

Your bones and muscles need calcium and vitamin D to stay healthy.

Low vitamin D levels can lead to:

• bone pain and unusual bone shape in children and teens
• muscle pain and weakness
• muscle cramps

How can I get more vitamin D?

Mononucleosis, mono, or “kissing disease” is an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

It’s very contagious, and symptoms include head and body aches.

Other symptoms are:

• fatigue
• fever
• a sore throat
• swollen lymph nodes
• an enlarged liver, spleen, or both
• a rash

What treatments can you use for mono?

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can affect your whole body.

It can cause chest and muscle pain, as well as:

• a cough, which may be dry or produce green, yellow, or blood-tinged mucus
• headache
• fever and chills
• breathing difficulty
• fatigue
• low appetite
• confusion
• nausea and vomiting, especially in children

Can home remedies support medical treatment for pneumonia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition where your entire body feels exhausted, achy, and sensitive.

Why is happens is unclear, but older age and having lupus or rheumatoid arthritis seem to increase the risk.

Symptoms include:

• pain and stiffness throughout the body
• fatigue
• depression and anxiety
• sleep problems
• difficulty thinking, focusing, and remembering
• headaches and migraine

Fibromyalgia diet: Can it help?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also called myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), can cause you to feel exhausted and weak, no matter how much rest or sleep you get.

Possible causes include previous infection with the EBV or other viruses, genetic factors, and changes in the immune system.

Symptoms of CFS include:

• aches in the muscles and joints throughout your body
• fatigue that does not improve with rest
• a general feeling of being unwell
• headaches
• sleep disturbances and daytime drowsiness
• difficulty thinking and remembering

Get some diet hacks to reduce chronic fatigue

Arthritis happens when your joints become inflamed. There are different types of arthritis, and symptoms can vary, but they all include joint pain.

Examples include:

• osteoarthritis, which happens when the cartilage around your joints breaks down
• autoimmune conditions that wear away the lining around your joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• gout, when a buildup of uric acid crystals causes pain, swelling, and inflammation
• psoriatic arthritis, which can occur with psoriasis and often involves swelling in the fingers

Other symptoms of arthritis include:

• stiffness in your joints
• swelling, warmth, or redness around the joint
• not being able to move a joint all the way

Can Ayurvedic treatment help with arthritis?

Lupus, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), happens when your immune system attacks the tissues around your body, including blood vessels, organs, and joints.

The damage and inflammation that can lead to pain in the joints due to arthritis.

Other symptoms include:

• skin lesions and rashes
• anemia
• headache
• heart, lung, and kidney problems
• ear and eye problems

What are some diet tips for lupus?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that spreads through tick bites.

Symptoms develop in stages and include:

• a rash
• muscle pain
• eye pain
• joint pain, especially in the knee, ankle, and wrist joints
• facial palsy, or weakness in the facial muscles

Without treatment, Lyme disease can lead to neuromuscular and joint conditions, such as arthritis and facial paralysis. It can also cause heart problems.

What is the Lyme disease antibody test?

Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by airborne spores from the soil or the droppings of bats or birds, especially in river valleys.

Possible symptoms include:

• flu-like symptoms
• chills and fever
• chest pain
• joint pain, in some cases
• headaches
• coughing

How can histoplasmosis affect the eyes?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition that affects the nervous system. It causes the myelin coverings around nerves to break down because of constant inflammation. As a result, the nerves cannot transmit messages effectively.

As a result, a person with MS will experience body aches and pain.

They may also experience:

• vision changes
• fatigue
• weakness
• tingling
• trouble walking or staying balanced
• trouble remembering or thinking

What are the treatments for MS?

Sepsis is an extreme response to an infection. It happens when an infection in the lungs, skin, or elsewhere triggers an immune reaction throughout the body. It is a life-threatening emergency.

The symptoms of sepsis include:

• severe pain
• a rapid heart rate or weak pulse
• confusion
• fever or chills
• difficulty breathing
• clammy skin

Anyone with these symptoms needs urgent medical treatment, especially if they have a weakened immune system or already have an infection. It can quickly lead to septic shock, which can be fatal.

Cancer can cause general body pain if it spreads throughout the body or if a person has bone cancer. As late-stage cancer progresses, the pain will increase, and the person will need strong pain relief medication.

Depending on where cancer has spread, other late-stage symptoms may include:

• bone pain and fractures if cancer is in the bones
• shortness of breath, if cancer is in the lungs
• headaches and dizziness if cancer has reached the brain
• abdominal swelling and jaundice, which give a yellow tinge to the eyes, if cancer has spread to the liver

Some cancer treatments can also cause bone pain.

Anyone with cancer or a previous diagnosis of cancer should speak with a doctor if they notice an onset of general pain or bone pain.

What are the stages of cancer?

Why do I have joint pain in the morning?

Joint pain and stiffness that is present when you wake up and lasts 30 minutes or longer may be a sign of RA. RA usually affects more than one joint, and it occurs in corresponding joints on both sides of the body, for instance, both knees.

What does it mean when you have body aches but no fever?

Body aches often happen with an infection, and you may also have a fever and chills. However, they also can occur without a fever, for instance, if you have been exercising more than usual, if you are not sleeping well, or if you are lacking nutrients, such as vitamin D or calcium.

How do you stop body aches?

This will depend on the cause. If it is due to exercise, you will have to wait until they resolve. Some underlying conditions, such as a cold or the flu, respond to rest and home treatment. Other causes will need medical attention. In the case of sepsis, the person will need immediate help.

Seek emergency medication attention if you have body pain with the following symptoms:

• trouble breathing
• trouble eating or drinking
• a high fever
• confusion
• seizures
• extreme fatigue or exhaustion
• a bad cough that doesn’t go away after a few days

If other, milder symptoms last for more than 2 weeks, see your doctor. They can examine you for a possible underlying condition. They will then work with you on a treatment plan to reduce the pain and treat the cause.

If you don’t already have a primary care doctor, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

Body aches and pains can happen for many reasons, ranging from stress to sepsis. Many of these causes are not serious and will resolve without treatment, but some may need urgent medical treatment.

If so, a doctor will consider the aches and pains along with other symptoms and carry out various tests before making a diagnosis.

Read this article in Spanish.

Breaks the body at a temperature, what to do?

The cause of pain in muscles, joints and bones during fever often lies in intoxication, that is, poisoning of the body ¹ . As “poisons” are bacterial toxins, products of inflammation and decay of tissues in the affected areas, substances that appear in the body due to metabolic disorders against the background of the disease ¹ . At the same time, the severity of symptoms of intoxication primarily depends on the type of infectious agent and the body’s ability to resist it ¹ .

Infectious diseases are more commonly caused by:

• viruses, such as influenza, parainfluenza, adenoviruses, hepatitis viruses, infectious mononucleosis, measles, varicella, and others;
• bacteria: staphylococcus, streptococcus, salmonella, tubercle bacillus, etc.;
• protozoa: amoeba and giardia;
• mushrooms ² .

The vast majority of all infections are acute respiratory viral diseases ^2.3 . Their pathogens can be:

• influenza viruses – about 15% of cases;
• parainfluenza – up to 50%;
• adenoviruses – up to 5%,
• respiratory syncytial virus – about 4%;
• enteroviruses – 1%;
• viral associations – about 23%;
• other viruses ⁴ .

All of these viruses can infect the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. They penetrate the epithelial cells of the nasal cavity and pharynx, causing local inflammation and death of these cells ^3.4 . Absorption into the bloodstream of inflammation and decay products leads to the development of an intoxication syndrome, accompanied by body aches and fever, weakness, headache and other symptoms ^3.4 .

Intoxication is most pronounced in influenza ^4.5 . Its appearance precedes the symptoms of respiratory tract damage.

• Body temperature rises to 39-40 °C ⁴ chills occur.
• Starts to have a headache in the forehead and temples.
• Sudden sounds and movements aggravate headache.
• There is pain and pain in the eyes, aggravated by the movement of the eyeballs and pressure on them.
• Eyes become red and watery.
• Aches and pains in muscles and joints.
• Acute weakness and lethargy seizes the whole body ⁵ .

According to statistics, muscle pains accompany influenza in 40% of cases. Muscle weakness occurs in 87% of patients ⁴ .

Additional manifestations of intoxication may be vomiting, sometimes occurring in children, dizziness and fainting, which are more common in adolescents and elderly patients. Possible sleep disturbance in the form of insomnia ⁵ .

The manifestations of SARS caused by other respiratory viruses (not the influenza virus) are similar to each other ⁴ . According to the severity of the intoxication syndrome, these diseases are an order of magnitude inferior to influenza ⁴ .

So, rhinovirus infection , although it begins acutely, with sneezing and the appearance of copious watery discharge from the nose, is almost never accompanied by body aches and fever – the temperature rarely rises to 38 ° C, and sometimes even remains normal ⁴ .

With parainfluenza from the first day, sore throat, dry hacking cough, hoarseness are disturbed, and manifestations of intoxication are limited to a rise in temperature to 37. 5 ° C, mild weakness and headache ⁴ .

Adenovirus infection is characterized by high and prolonged fever, runny nose, conjunctivitis, sore throat associated with damage to the pharyngeal tonsils, swollen lymph nodes. However, despite the impressive set of symptoms and high temperature, the muscles and joints do not hurt – some weakness and heaviness in the head are possible ⁴ .

Respiratory syncytial infection also occurs with moderate intoxication: weakness, lethargy, headache, discomfort in the muscles of the body – but the resulting discomfort is not comparable to what happens with the flu. Along with the intoxication syndrome, there is a cough with shortness of breath, wheezing and viscous sputum ⁴ .

Fever and chills – features of the course

High fever accompanied by chills is often a symptom of influenza or SARS

High body temperature accompanied by chills is a symptom of influenza or SARS ^{1. 2} and helps to identify this disease.

Features of the course

Bacterial and viral infections, such as influenza or SARS, may be accompanied by symptoms such as fever and chills. ^1.2

An increase in body temperature is part of the body’s defense response to an active infection. ³ The anterior hypothalamus in the brain increases body temperature ⁴ up to 38°C or more, which gives the effect that we perceive as a fever. ⁵

Fever should not be confused with hyperthermia, which occurs when the body generates more heat than it can dissipate. ³ Hyperthermia is most often the result of wearing excess clothing that is inappropriate in hot weather or high humidity, or after strenuous physical activity. ⁴

Chill manifests itself in the form of rapid muscle contraction and relaxation, visually perceived as a shiver. Chills are often observed before the onset of fever. ²

• Questions you can ask your patient

  Ask the patient the following questions: ⁶

  • What are the main and accompanying symptoms?
  • What are the characteristics of these symptoms?
  • What was the treatment for fever and chills?
  • Have you ever had a fever and chills?
  • When did the problem occur?
  • What makes fever/chills worse and what makes them better?
  • Do you have other diseases? Are you taking other medications?

• The patient should be referred to a doctor for medical attention in the following cases

  The patient should be referred to a physician immediately if the pharmacy staff or caregiver observes the following:

  • Paleness; patchy skin lesions; skin, lips or tongue turned blue or ashy
  • No response to social cues
  • Patient has difficulty walking or staying awake
  • Decreased activity
  • Signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome such as nasal flaring, increased respiratory rate, wheezing in the chest, groaning and moderate or severe chest retraction
  • Palpitations
  • Reduced skin turgor
  • Body temperature above 39°C in children aged 3-6 months or body temperature above 38°C in children <3 months of age ⁷
  • Fever with rash
  • Flu-like symptoms that improve but then recur with fever and worse cough ⁸

Etiology

Learn about the causes of fever and chills.