Throat pain and body aches: what to know

Influenza and COVID-19 can cause throat pain, body aches, tiredness, fever or chills. Common Cold may produce milder aches with a blocked or runny nose. Strep Throat can cause sudden throat pain and fever, often without a cough. Glandular Fever may bring a prolonged sore throat, swollen glands and pronounced fatigue.

Acid Reflux and Allergic Rhinitis can irritate the throat, but widespread aches make an infection more relevant to consider. Symptoms overlap, so the timing, fever, cough, exposure to illness, swallowing difficulty and general health help a clinician decide whether an examination or test is useful.

Rest, drink enough fluid to keep urine pale, and choose soft foods if swallowing hurts. Warm drinks, cool fluids or a salt-water gargle may soothe the throat. Wash hands, improve ventilation, and stay away from vulnerable people while you have fever or feel acutely unwell.

A pharmacist can advise on pain or fever medicine after checking your age, pregnancy status, allergies and other medicines. Follow the label and avoid taking multiple products with the same ingredient. Antibiotics do not treat viral illnesses, so use them only when prescribed for a specific reason.

Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, inability to swallow saliva, severe dehydration, confusion, a stiff neck, chest pain, or rapidly worsening symptoms. Arrange prompt medical advice for persistent high fever, severe one-sided throat pain, a spreading rash, or symptoms that fail to improve. People with weakened immunity or serious long-term illness should seek advice earlier.

Does my combination of aches, fever and throat symptoms need testing? Which pain relief is safe with my current medicines? What signs would mean I should return or seek urgent help?