Muscle aches and pain are produced by this immune response. While it may not feel like it, body aches are a good sign because your body is doing what it is supposed to do to help you get better.
Dehydration may also contribute to body aches when you have the flu. The body always needs water to prevent muscle cramping and soreness, and this is even more important when you are sick. Some people experience aches and pains every time they get the flu, while others rarely do. Older adults and people with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and autoimmune diseases , tend to experience more aches when they have the flu because their bodies have a harder time fighting off the infection.
Anytime the body has to work harder, more aches and pains are experienced. People who live in colder climates may experience more body aches with the flu as well. When the body is exposed to cold temperatures, it is more prone to soreness. In addition to body aches, common flu symptoms include cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, and fatigue. Some people may have a fever, and less commonly, vomiting or diarrhea. There are several things you can do to help manage your body aches as you try to recover from the flu.
Over-the-counter pain relievers may help make you more comfortable. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications NSAIDs are more likely to help with aches than other pain relievers like Tylenol acetaminophen. If you can't take NSAID pain relievers due to kidney problems, stomach issues, or other medical concerns, talk to your healthcare provider about alternative treatments for your body aches.
Aspirin should not be given to children under age 18, especially when they have the flu, due to the risk of Reye's syndrome. When you're sick with a flu or fever, your body tends to lose a lot more fluids due to excess sweating, and in some cases, vomiting or diarrhea.
Drinking lots of clear liquids to restore bodily fluids is an important part of helping your body fight infection. To help your body stay hydrated, drink plenty of water, broth, tea, electrolyte drinks, and sports drinks, and choose soup if you're having trouble eating as well.
Sleep plays a big role in regulating many of the immune functions that are necessary for healing and reducing inflammation in the body. Painful body aches may even make resting uncomfortable, but forcing yourself to relax when you have the flu is important. Getting as much sleep and rest as you can gives your body the best chance to fight off the infection.
A warm bath or shower can help loosen your muscles and relieve body pain, but if you have a fever, the water should be kept lukewarm to avoid raising your temperature. Since fevers can cause dizziness and general weakness, it's best to avoid showering if you are experiencing these symptoms.
Children with a fever or cold symptoms should also be monitored when taking a shower or bath to avoid injury. Heating pads and heated blankets can relieve some of your pain. Be careful not to use excessive heat to avoid burns, and consider setting a timer if there's a chance you might fall asleep. Though receiving a massage won't likely cure your flu overnight, it can indirectly help you recover faster.
In addition to alleviating body aches, massage therapy can reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that weakens your immunity by impairing certain infection-fighting white blood cells. Many massage therapists do not treat people when they are sick, but a friend or family member can lend a hand as well.
Massaging with topical relief creams may improve blood flow and further ease your aches; just keep in mind that flu viruses are contagious, and anyone who gives you a massage could be put at risk. Dry air can increase your risk of catching flu-like pathogens or make your flu symptoms worse.
When a flu virus enters your respiratory tract, it gets caught in mucus, which helps prevent infection from spreading. However, when the air is cold and dry, mucus dries up in your airways, making it more difficult for your body to fend the virus off. It can also help fast-track your healing by reducing pain and inflammation in your throat and helping you sleep better. Although body aches are normal with the flu, if they become more severe than you would expect, you should contact your healthcare provider.
You should also seek medical attention for muscle aches if:. Call or go to your local emergency room if:. Some people, especially children, may experience very painful leg cramps with the flu. Leg cramps can be so painful that walking is difficult or accompanied by a limp. To learn more about what you can do to protect yourself and your family during the flu season, visit our flu page at lluh. Appointments can be made quickly and easily online at MyChart or by calling When should you seek help?
Popular Stories. Travis Losey appointed chair of the Department of Neurology. How to cope with stress if your premature infant is in the NICU. Fibromyalgia may result from the way the central nervous system processes pain messages when they occur in the body. The flu , the common cold, and other viral or bacterial infections can cause body aches.
When such infections occur, the immune system sends white blood cells to fight off the infection. This can result in inflammation , which can leave the muscles in the body feeling achy and stiff. Some medicines and drugs, such as statins and blood pressure medications, have side effects that make the body feel sore, stiff, and achy.
Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and certain drugs, including cocaine and opiates, can also have a similar effect. When the body retains fluid, swelling and inflammation may develop, resulting in general muscular aches and pains.
A person may also experience sharp, localized pains and cramps. Conditions that can lead to fluid retention include:. Each of these conditions needs specific treatment, but some home remedies can reduce the impact of water retention. Learn more here about fluid retention, why it happens, and how to manage it. Hypokalemia is when a person has low potassium in their bloodstream.
Low potassium affects the way nerves and muscles function, which can result in body aches, weakness, fatigue, and muscle cramps. Stress can cause tension in the body and can also weaken the immune system. Dehydration can sometimes cause a person to feel tired and sore. People who experience chronic pain often find it hard to sleep. At the same time, research has found that people with insomnia often experience chronic pain. Over time, not getting enough sleep can lead to exhaustion.
This may make the body feel achy, sluggish, and heavy. When the body does not have sufficient time to repair and recuperate, a person may experience aches and pains more frequently. Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be very dangerous without treatment. Pneumonia may result in an inability to get enough oxygen into the body. Without enough oxygen, red blood cells and tissues in the body are not able to function properly, which may cause aches and pains.
Find out more here about pneumonia. In a similar way to a person who does not get enough sleep, someone with CFS may experience muscular aches in addition to insomnia, exhaustion, and weakness.
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