Headache and Body Ache: What to Know

Common cold and COVID-19 can present with headache, muscle aches, tiredness, sore throat, cough, or fever. Dengue fever can also involve headache and body aches, and may include fever, nausea, rash, or pain behind the eyes; local medical advice is sensible if these features occur. Dehydration after sweating, reduced intake, vomiting, or diarrhoea can cause headache, weakness, dark urine, and muscle discomfort. Heavy exercise, prolonged travel, or poor sleep may cause aches without an infection. Symptoms overlap, so their timing and associated features matter.

Reduce activity, rest, and drink fluids in small regular amounts. Stay in a cool environment and choose light clothing if heat may be involved. Eat simple food when able and avoid alcohol. Check your temperature if you feel feverish, and limit close contact with others if an infection is possible. Keep notes on fever, rash, breathing, urine, pain location, and whether symptoms are improving. Use medicines only as labelled; ask a pharmacist for advice if you have liver or kidney disease, are pregnant, or take regular treatment.

Seek urgent help for difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, fainting, severe weakness, a seizure, stiff neck with fever, sudden severe headache, repeated vomiting, bleeding, or inability to keep fluids down. Prompt review is appropriate after travel or mosquito exposure if fever and strong aches develop, and for symptoms that worsen or fail to improve.

Which associated symptoms would make infection testing or blood tests useful? How should I replace fluids safely? Could any of my medicines be contributing to the aches or headache?