What do muscle aches feel like with COVID-19?

The soreness may affect the back, shoulders, arms, legs, or several areas at once. It can feel heavy, tender, or worse with movement, and may appear with fever, chills, headache, cough, blocked nose, sore throat, or reduced energy. Some people have mild symptoms, while others become more unwell. Muscle aches alone cannot diagnose COVID-19.

Because similar aches occur with influenza and other infections, consider your recent contact with illness and any change in breathing or general condition. Testing and clinical advice may be appropriate according to local guidance and your health risks.

Rest, drink fluids, and use a suitable fever or pain medicine as directed by a pharmacist or clinician. Stay away from others when you are unwell and improve ventilation around you. If you have a test result or known exposure, follow current local advice about staying home and returning to normal activities.

Seek emergency help for severe trouble breathing, chest pressure, new confusion, inability to wake, blue or grey lips, or collapse. Contact a clinician promptly if fever persists, weakness worsens, you cannot keep fluids down, or you have a condition that raises your risk of severe infection.

Ask whether you should test, how to manage aches safely, when to repeat contact, and whether early treatment or monitoring is relevant for your health conditions. Mention pregnancy, immune problems, age-related risks, and all medicines.