My entire body is aching: what should I know?

Aching throughout the body may follow strenuous activity, poor sleep, dehydration or a viral illness. Influenza and COVID-19 can present with body aches alongside fever, chills, cough, sore throat or exhaustion. Dengue fever and malaria are possibilities after relevant travel or mosquito exposure, especially with fever. Brucellosis can follow contact with infected animals or unpasteurised dairy. Fibromyalgia may cause widespread pain with tiredness and unrefreshing sleep, while hypothyroidism can cause aches with feeling unusually cold, dry skin or constipation. These patterns do not establish a diagnosis.

Rest from heavy exertion, drink fluids, and record the onset, locations and severity of pain. Note fever, rashes, joint swelling, cough, stomach symptoms, travel, insect bites, animal contact and new medicines. A pharmacist or clinician can check which pain relief is suitable for you, particularly if you have kidney, liver or stomach disease, are pregnant, or take other medicines. Arrange an assessment if aches persist, return repeatedly, or interfere with walking, sleep or normal activity.

Go to urgent care for trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, a stiff neck, a rapidly spreading rash, inability to keep fluids down, or very little urine. Seek prompt medical advice for high fever, severe headache, yellowing of the skin, bleeding, or body aches after travel to a malaria or dengue area. Do not delay if you are immunocompromised or seriously unwell.

What pattern of symptoms matters most? Do I need an examination or tests? Could a medicine, thyroid problem or infection explain this? Which activities and pain medicines are safe while I recover?