Why achy when flu

Mild body aches that improve over time and ease with rest, rehydration, and OTC treatment are usually no cause for concern. If a person experiences frequent or persistent body aches or aches that occur alongside other, more severe symptoms, they should speak with a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Hand massage devices may help relieve pain and improve flexibility. Learn more here. A new study showed that virtual reality-guided breathing led to a similar increase in the ability to withstand pain as traditional mindful breathing.

A burning sensation can occur anywhere in the body. It may feel like heat, pins and needles, or a sharp, prickly pain. Various conditions cause it…. TENS units may help treat pain by sending small electrical impulses through the nervous system.

Here we look at 7 of the best units. New research finds that people with widespread pain had a higher risk of all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and stroke. Why does my body ache? Signs and symptoms.

Share on Pinterest Body aches can occur alongside pain, fatigue, and weakness. Possible causes. Share on Pinterest A lack of sleep can result in aches and pains. Home treatments. Share on Pinterest Home treatment includes drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. When to see a doctor. Detecting early symptoms of the flu can help to prevent the spread of the virus and possibly help you treat the illness before it gets worse.

Early symptoms can include:. Shorter days and reduced sunlight can make you feel tired. Sudden, excessive fatigue is one of the earliest symptoms of the flu. It may appear before other symptoms. Extreme weakness and tiredness may interfere with your normal activities.

Take a few days off from work or school and stay in bed. Rest can strengthen your immune system and help you fight the virus. Body aches can manifest anywhere in the body, especially in the head, back, and legs.

Wrapping yourself in a warm blanket can increase your body temperature and possibly reduce chills. If you have body aches, you can take over-the-counter pain relieving medication, such as acetaminophen Tylenol or ibuprofen Advil, Motrin. A persistent dry cough can indicate an early illness. It may be a warning sign of the flu. The flu virus can also cause a cough with wheezing and chest tightness. You might cough up phlegm or mucus.

If you have respiratory problems, such as asthma or emphysema , you may need to call your doctor to prevent further complications. Also, contact your doctor if you notice foul smelling, colored phlegm. Flu complications can include bronchitis and pneumonia. Take cough drops or cough medicine to calm your cough. Keeping yourself and your throat hydrated with lots of water and caffeine-free teas can also help. Older folks over the age of 65 are especially susceptible to influenza infection, since the immune system becomes weaker with age.

In addition, older folks are also more susceptible to long-term disability following influenza infection, especially if they are hospitalized. We all know the symptoms of influenza infection include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, headaches and fatigue. But just what causes all the havoc? What is going on in your body as you fight the flu? I am a researcher who specializes in immunology at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, and my laboratory focuses on how influenza infection affects the body and how our bodies combat the virus.

Influenza virus causes an infection in the respiratory tract , or nose, throat and lungs. The virus is inhaled or transmitted, usually via your fingers, to the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose or eyes. It then travels down the respiratory tract and binds to epithelial cells lining the lung airways via specific molecules on the cell surface.

Once inside the cells, the virus hijacks the protein manufacturing machinery of the cell to generate its own viral proteins and create more viral particles. Once mature viral particles are produced, they are released from the cell and can then go on to invade adjacent cells. While this process causes some lung injury, most of the symptoms of the flu are actually caused by the immune response to the virus.

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