When a sudden fever, body aches, and joint pain hit you like a truck, you probably have the flu. A familiar feeling for many, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 40 million flu illnesses occur each year in the U.S.
Body aches and joint pains are commonly caused by influenza (the flu) and can be lessened and sometimes prevented by getting your annual flu shot.
Read on to learn what causes body aches and remedies to help alleviate flu-related aches and pains when they strike.
Body aches (myalgias) when you’re sick are most commonly caused by your white blood cells releasing cytokines to fight infection. Cytokines are protein messengers that coordinate your body’s immune response to infection. Although these proteins help fight infection, they may also trigger inflammation that results in body aches. Other causes of aches and pains while you are sick include:
Dehydration
Illness frequently causes dehydration, and that lack of fluids is a direct contributor to symptoms like muscle cramps and body aches.
Muscle breakdown
During an infection, your body uses up more energy to fight off the illness, often leading to muscle breakdown and soreness.
Stress
When your body is fighting an infection, the stress it experiences can cause muscle tension.
Increased sensitivity
Your body’s immune response can make your muscles and joints more sensitive to pain.
Severe body aches
Sometimes, body aches are a sign of a serious underlying condition. If you experience severe body aches accompanied by other symptoms, such as high fever, chills, or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention promptly.
To treat body aches, find ways to soothe your muscles, hydrate and rest. Ready for some relief?
Apply heat to reduce muscle pain
Heat can loosen your muscles and relieve pain. Take a warm shower or bath to help your muscles relax. You can also use a heating pad or blanket for extra relief.
Take over-the-counter pain medication
Ibuprofen helps alleviate inflammation and can reduce the discomfort of a fever. A high fever can cause your body to shiver, adding muscle tension that eventually leaves you with more aches and pains.
A standard Ibuprofen tablet typically starts working in about 30 minutes. Want to feel better faster? Take ibuprofen in a liquid/liquid gel. Since the medication is already dissolved, it will provide relief more quickly.
Sleep and stay hydrated
Getting adequate sleep strengthens your body’s defense system, relaxes your muscles, and speeds up the healing process. Aim for a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
Water is also essential to your body’s normal functioning and its ability to fight infection, so it’s important to stay hydrated. Generally, men should drink 15 cups of water each day, women should drink 11 cups, and kids and teens should drink 8-11 cups.
To help prevent body aches and joint pains associated with influenza, get your flu shot annually. vybe offers flu shots at all locations, 7 days a week. A flu shot offers protection against the flu at any time during flu season. Walk in or book online at your nearest vybe urgent care location to get vaccinated today!
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