Major body aches

Aches may feel deep, tender, stiff or burning and can affect several muscle groups. Fever, chills, headache, sore throat, cough, stomach symptoms or a recent sick contact suggest an infection such as influenza or COVID-19. Travel, insect bites, animal exposure, untreated water, a new medicine or strenuous activity can change the possible causes. Persistent widespread pain with poor sleep and fatigue can occur with fibromyalgia; slower movement, cold intolerance or weight change can point towards hypothyroidism. An ache alone cannot identify a specific condition.

Rest from strenuous activity, drink fluids regularly and use gentle movement if it does not worsen pain. Check your temperature and note when the aches began, where they are located and which other symptoms appeared. Follow label directions for any suitable pain medicine and check with a pharmacist if you have kidney disease, stomach ulcers, pregnancy, allergies or take other medicines. Arrange a clinical assessment when pain is severe, unexplained, recurrent or does not settle, or when fever follows travel. Conditions such as [Dengue Fever](/conditions/dengue-fever/) and [Malaria](/conditions/malaria/) need specific assessment after relevant exposure.

Get urgent help for trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, new confusion, a stiff neck with fever, severe weakness, dark urine, inability to drink, rapidly worsening pain or a widespread rash with swelling. Seek prompt assessment after travel if fever and body aches are accompanied by shaking chills, severe headache, bleeding or yellowing of the skin. Do not delay because the ache itself seems familiar; the accompanying signs guide urgency.

Tell the clinician about recent infections, exertion, travel, bites, new medicines, vaccination, sleep and any numbness or weakness. Ask whether you need an examination, blood tests or infection testing, and what changes should prompt reassessment. Mention ongoing fatigue or concentration problems and whether pain is affecting sleep or movement.