Why does COVID-19 cause muscle aches?

During an infection, immune signals help coordinate the response to the virus. Those signals can produce the all-over aching, stiffness, and low energy often felt during a feverish illness. Muscle Aches is a very common presentation of COVID-19. Aches can also follow poor sleep, physical exertion, dehydration, or other infections, so the symptom alone does not identify the cause.

Rest from strenuous exercise while you feel unwell, drink regularly, and try light movement or changing position if it is comfortable. A warm shower or heat pack may ease tight muscles. If you use a pain reliever, follow the label and check with a pharmacist or clinician when you have a medical condition, take regular medicines, or are unsure which option is suitable.

Get urgent help for breathing difficulty, chest pain, confusion, fainting, or blue-grey lips or face. Contact a clinician promptly if muscle pain is severe, sharply localised, paired with marked swelling or weakness, or if you cannot keep fluids down. Seek advice if the aches continue after the acute illness has passed or limit normal activity.

Tell your clinician where the pain is, whether it began suddenly, and whether there is fever, rash, weakness, dark urine, or joint swelling. Ask whether your medicines, activity level, hydration, or another illness could be adding to the discomfort.