What should you know about horrible body aches?

Aches throughout the body often occur with viral illnesses such as influenza or COVID-19, particularly when fever, chills, cough or marked tiredness are present. Travel, mosquito exposure, animal contact, unwell household members and contaminated food or water can change which illnesses need consideration. Persistent widespread pain without an acute illness may occur with fibromyalgia, an underactive thyroid or post-viral symptoms. The location, onset, fever pattern, weakness, rash and joint swelling help a clinician narrow the possibilities.

Rest, drink fluids and use gentle movement as tolerated. Check your temperature and note when the aches began, any travel or bites, medicines taken and symptoms such as cough, diarrhoea, rash or dark urine. Follow local advice about testing and reducing contact when a contagious infection is possible. A pharmacist can help you choose a pain-relief option that fits your health conditions and other medicines. Arrange review if pain is severe, keeps returning or does not improve as the illness settles.

Get urgent help for trouble breathing, confusion, fainting, a stiff neck, severe weakness, a rapidly spreading rash, severe dehydration, chest pain or dark urine with intense muscle pain. Prompt assessment is also needed after relevant travel if fever and marked aches develop, or when symptoms rapidly worsen.

Could this be an infection or a medication effect? Do my travel, mosquito or animal exposures matter? Should I have tests for thyroid function, inflammation or another cause of persistent widespread pain?