When a body is infected with a virus, the immune system works to fight the infection. Donaldson says this fight could lead you to feel muscle inflammation and weakness — called myositis — or joint and muscle pain — called myalgia.
Pain manifested in the joints is called arthralgia is also a commonly associated with a fever. When infected by a virus, the body mounts an immune response, sending antibodies to seek out attack the virus, blocking it from spreading further. Aching joints and muscles are common symptoms of the flu.
These are a result of the immune system releasing inflammatory chemicals into the bloodstream. In this page, our immune system expert Dr. Jen Tan addresses the causes of flu induced muscle and joint aches and discusses the herbal treatments available to relieve any pain or discomfort. Jen Tan. Aching joints and muscles are two of the most common symptoms of the flu, and are part of the reason why you feel so much worse than when suffering from the common cold.
Joints may feel stiff and sore, but you should be able to fully move them, even if it is achy to do so. Additionally, they should not be red or swollen, so if you experience these symptoms, then it is worth seeking medical attention to rule out any underlying causes of your joint pain.
When you are already suffering from fever , coughs and headaches , it seems unfair that aching joints should be added to the list of symptoms. One task of white blood cells is to repair and rebuild muscle fibres which are damaged from day to day. However, when you have the flu, your immune system diverts the white blood cells from this function to fight off the flu virus, thus leaving your muscles and joints feeling sore and achy.
In addition, white blood cells produce a chemical called cytokines when fighting the infection. This causes inflammation in muscles and joints, resulting in pain in a similar way to mild arthritis or rheumatism. However, this achy feeling is temporary, and once your body has fought off the infection, symptoms of achy joints will ease. First of all, it is worth giving your muscles plenty of time to rest and relax.
Trying to carry on as if you are perfectly fit and healthy will slow recovery as your body will not be able to put valuable energy into fighting off infection. As white blood cells are diverted from the muscles into fighting infection, your muscles are more susceptible to wear and tear. Thus, allowing your body to rest should prevent worsening of muscle pain.
You may also find relief from warming or massaging your joints. Some people find a warm cloth around painful joints is comforting, others find that a rub of warm olive oil or peppermint oil soothes your muscles or joints. It can also be very soothing and refreshing to have a warm bath, particularly with bath salts or essential oils. Arthritis happens when your joints become inflamed.
This can be caused by:. Learn more: Ayurvedic treatment for arthritis ». Lupus happens when your immune system attacks the tissues around your body, including blood vessels, organs, and joints.
Because of the damage and inflammation caused by this autoimmune condition, pain and aches in the body are common. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi spreading to your body through a tick bite. Aches are a common symptom, especially in your muscles and joints. If Lyme disease goes untreated, it can cause neuromuscular and joint conditions, such as arthritis and facial paralysis. Learn more: Lyme disease antibody test ». Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by airborne spores from the soil or the droppings of bats or birds.
These are common around construction projects, farmlands, or caves, where large amounts of spores are released into the air. Learn more: Histoplasma skin test ». Multiple sclerosis MS is thought to be an autoimmune condition.
As a result, you can feel aches, pain, tingling, or other abnormal sensations. If other, milder symptoms last for more than two weeks, see your doctor. They can examine you for a possible underlying condition. They can then give you a treatment plan to help reduce the aches and treat the cause. Read this article in Spanish.
People with diabetes are about twice as likely to have arthritis and joint pain. Learn about the different types, symptoms, and how to treat joint…. When experienced together, chills and abdominal pain may be the result of a number of conditions, both bacterial and viral. Pain is a general term that describes uncomfortable sensations in the body, ranging from annoying to debilitating.
Pain stems from activation of the…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. In addition to body aches, other symptoms of sleep deprivation include:. If you're struggling to sleep seven to eight hours per night , Favini recommends:. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition that causes extreme fatigue and sleepiness that interfere with daily life. The condition affects an estimated one million Americans. Aches and pains are common in people with chronic fatigue syndrome, though the severity of pain varies by individual, says Robert Berghorn , DPT, owner of Ascent Physical Therapy based in New York.
However, in this case with chronic fatigue syndrome or any other chronic pain condition, it more acts like an uncontrolled wildfire," Berghorn says. Other symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome include:. There is no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome, but many symptoms can be managed with medication or lifestyle changes. If you think you may be experiencing chronic fatigue syndrome, talk with your doctor about the best course of treatment for you. Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain and stiffness all over the body.
The condition affects about four million adults in the US. Symptoms include:. The condition can be managed with medication, stress management techniques, and cognitive behavioral therapy. If you're on a medication that you think is causing your body aches, talk with your doctor about your symptoms and what other options may be available to you. Inadequate water intake reduces your body's ability to remove inflammatory chemicals from tissues, causing achiness and soreness, Berghorn says.
Symptoms of dehydration include:. One of the best ways to avoid dehydration is keeping a water bottle with you and drinking from it regularly, Berhorn says. If you do notice signs of dehydration, drinking a sports beverage with some sugar and electrolytes will help rehydrate you faster than just water.
Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies can also cause body aches, Berghorn says.
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