Cough, chills and body aches

Influenza and COVID-19 commonly present with cough, chills, feverishness, fatigue, and muscle aches. Dengue fever and malaria can also cause fever and aches and are especially relevant after travel or residence in an affected area. Brucellosis may cause a prolonged feverish illness. Fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism can cause aches and fatigue but do not usually explain a new cough. Symptoms overlap, so timing and exposure history matter.

Rest, drink fluids regularly, and limit close contact while you have fever or feel acutely unwell. Check your temperature if you can and record when the cough, chills, and aches began. Use only medicines suitable for you and follow label directions; ask a pharmacist if you have liver, kidney, stomach, or other health problems. Seek advice early if pregnant, immunocompromised, elderly, or living with a chronic condition.

Get emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, blue lips, fainting, new confusion, a seizure, or inability to keep fluids down. Seek prompt assessment for persistent high fever, severe headache or neck stiffness, a rash, unusual bleeding, worsening weakness, or illness after travel to a malaria-risk area. A child who is unusually sleepy or breathing hard also needs urgent care.

Tell the clinician about fever, exposures, vaccination, travel, insect bites, medicines, and underlying conditions. Ask whether testing is appropriate, how to protect household members, and which changes require emergency care.