Why does your body ache when you get sick?

There are a few reasons why your body aches when you get sick.

Inflammation

When you get sick, your body produces inflammatory cytokines, which are proteins that help to fight off infection. These cytokines can cause inflammation, which is a process that leads to swelling, redness, heat, and pain. Inflammation can affect your muscles, joints, and other tissues, leading to body aches.

Muscle pain

Muscle pain is a common symptom of many illnesses, including the flu, colds, and COVID-19. This pain is thought to be caused by the release of inflammatory cytokines, as well as by the damage that viruses and bacteria can do to muscle cells.

Joint pain

Joint pain is another common symptom of many illnesses. This pain is often caused by inflammation of the joints, which can be caused by the release of inflammatory cytokines, as well as by the damage that viruses and bacteria can do to joint tissues.

Headache

Headaches are a common symptom of many illnesses, including the flu, colds, and COVID-19. Headaches are thought to be caused by the release of inflammatory cytokines, as well as by the pressure that inflammation can put on the brain.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a common symptom of many illnesses. Fatigue is thought to be caused by the release of inflammatory cytokines, as well as by the body's efforts to fight off infection.

If you are experiencing body aches, it is important to see a doctor to determine the cause and get treatment. In most cases, body aches will go away on their own within a few days or weeks. However, if your body aches are severe or persistent, they could be a sign of a more serious condition.