What should you know about fever pain?

Fever pain often comes from the infection or inflammation causing a raised temperature, and may include headache, muscle aches, joint discomfort or soreness; rest, fluids and appropriate symptom relief can help while you watch for warning signs. Chills can happen as the body adjusts its temperature, even when you feel hot. Fever is a sign rather than a diagnosis, so the other symptoms, your age, medical conditions and recent exposures help determine its cause.

A common cold, COVID-19, acute bronchitis and other infections can present with fever and body aches. Skin redness or tenderness may occur when cellulitis presents with fever, while a widespread itchy rash can accompany chickenpox. In babies and young children, bronchiolitis or croup may present with fever alongside breathing or feeding changes. Brucellosis can present with fever and marked tiredness, particularly after relevant animal or unpasteurised dairy exposure. These patterns do not identify the cause by themselves. Pain that is severe, localised, worsening or out of proportion to the fever deserves medical assessment.

Rest and drink regularly; small, frequent sips may be easier if nausea is present. Wear light clothing, keep the room comfortably cool and avoid forcing yourself to eat. A lukewarm wash may feel soothing, but avoid ice-cold baths or rubbing the skin with alcohol. If you use paracetamol or ibuprofen, follow the product directions and check that another cold or flu product does not contain the same medicine. Ibuprofen may not be suitable with some stomach, kidney, heart or pregnancy-related concerns. Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers unless a clinician specifically advises it.

Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, blue or grey lips, a seizure, new confusion, extreme sleepiness, a stiff neck, a severe headache, or a rash that does not fade when pressed. Get prompt medical advice if you cannot keep fluids down, pass very little urine, have intense or worsening pain, or feel rapidly more unwell. A baby younger than three months with a fever needs urgent medical assessment. Contact a clinician when fever persists, returns after improving, or affects someone with a weakened immune system or a serious long-term condition.

Ask what cause best fits the combination of fever, pain and any breathing, urinary, skin or digestive symptoms. Tell the clinician when the fever and pain began, whether the pain is in one area or throughout the body, what medicines you have taken, and whether there has been travel, animal contact or illness exposure. You can also ask which warning signs should prompt same-day review and how to use symptom-relief medicines safely with your existing prescriptions.