What should you know about constant body aches?

Muscle pain can follow unusual activity, tension, dehydration, or a viral illness. Influenza, COVID-19, malaria, dengue fever, and brucellosis can produce aches alongside fever or marked tiredness; travel, animal contact, or insect exposure may be relevant. Fibromyalgia may cause widespread pain with poor sleep, fatigue, or sensitivity to touch. Hypothyroidism can be associated with aches, stiffness, feeling unusually cold, constipation, or low energy. The same symptom can have different causes, so its location, onset, fever pattern, weakness, and effect on daily activity are useful clues.

Rest from strenuous activity but keep gentle movement within comfort, drink fluids, and note when the aches began. Record fever, rash, cough, bowel changes, recent travel, insect bites, new medicines, and any unusual exertion. A pharmacist can discuss a suitable pain reliever if you have no reason to avoid it; follow the label and do not combine products containing the same ingredient. Arrange a medical review when pain persists, returns without a clear trigger, or limits sleep, work, or walking.

Seek urgent help for severe weakness, trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, a stiff neck, dark urine, inability to keep fluids down, or a rapidly spreading rash. Get prompt assessment for aches with high fever, bleeding, yellowing of the skin, or recent travel to a malaria area. New one-sided weakness or difficulty speaking requires emergency care.

Ask whether you need an examination or blood tests, which causes fit your symptom pattern, and how to use pain relief safely with your other medicines.