Body aches, feeling cold and tired: what to know

Chills can happen when the body is responding to infection, sometimes before a fever is noticed. Muscle aches may accompany influenza or COVID-19. Depending on travel, animal contact, mosquito exposure, or other symptoms, a clinician may also consider malaria, dengue fever, or brucellosis. Ongoing widespread pain and fatigue can occur with fibromyalgia, while low thyroid activity can contribute to tiredness, feeling unusually cold, and muscle discomfort.

Rest, drink fluids regularly, and keep a note of your temperature, pain location, energy level, and any cough, sore throat, rash, stomach symptoms, or urinary changes. Avoid strenuous exercise while you feel unwell. Use only pain or fever medicine that is suitable for you and follow its label; a pharmacist can check interactions and health restrictions. Consider testing or clinical advice when infection symptoms are present, especially after relevant travel or exposure.

Arrange medical advice if symptoms are worsening, last beyond a short illness, keep returning, or interfere with normal activities. Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, confusion, fainting, severe weakness, a stiff neck, a new widespread rash, severe dehydration, or intense localized pain. Tell the clinician about recent travel, insect bites, animal contact, new medicines, and medical conditions.

Could an infection explain this combination, and do I need an examination or tests? Which warning signs should prompt urgent care? Are my medicines, thyroid health, recent travel, or activity level relevant?